Camacho bids goodbye, Tudela takes over

After a little over two years as head of the Department of Public Safety, Edward Camacho officially resigned as commissioner yesterday, paving the way for Col. Santiago Tudela to take over his post.

“This is one of the toughest thing for me to do,” Camacho said during his final address as commissioner. “It’s difficult when you have fallen in love with a whole bunch of people and then you’re leaving them behind. It’s a point in my life where I need to move on and do some other bigger things…almost like the next phase in my life.”

Camacho, who addressed department personnel during a farewell ceremony yesterday afternoon, said he would be tasked with handling National Guard development for the Commonwealth.

“I look forward to that,” he said shortly after his address. “It’s a whole new challenge. I just need to make sure that I’m okay doing that while also a member of the [U.S.] Army Reserve.”

Camacho, who assumed full duties as commissioner in June 2002, said global issues on the war on terror was a great factor in his decision, as he also need to face the military aspect of his career. His decision to resign came after he visited the local Army Reserve troops during their training in Hawaii before traveling for further training in Texas. The troops would be deployed to Iraq early next year.

“The global situation with this war in Iraq is not getting any better, and I have confidence in the capability, knowledge, and ability of personnel of the department already. I can leave the department and it will continue to go forward without me,” he said.

“I need to handle the military side of the house,” he said. “I do have a hard time juggling my military tasks and my DPS tasks, but at the same time, I know where to draw the line so there won’t be any conflict. [But] it’s difficult for me to have all of these going on at the same time, especially right now with…the war against terror. We need to make sure I give it full attention from where I’m coming from. My duties as operations officer with the Live Regional Readiness Command…I need to make sure I give that the full attention it deserves also.”

During the ceremony, Camacho expressed his appreciation to the department and its personnel.

“Thank all you guys for your service on behalf of the Commonwealth…on behalf of the governor,” he said. “You guys have done a lot and we have not done enough to recognize you for all the good work you’ve done.”

Camacho recognized the many sacrifices DPS personnel go through as one reason he is “very attached” to the department.

Camacho recommended that the department continue to recognize more officers for their efforts through promotions. “There are lots of people out there [who] deserve to be promoted. Let’s do what we can to start recognizing people for the great work and if I have my way, I’ll promote all of you right now. You guys all deserve it.

He also presented certificates of appreciation to personnel who served the DPS for 10, 15, and 20 years.

Camacho also urged the department to continue with professional endeavors, including getting accreditation by the Commission Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

Camacho, however, said he would not refuse a request to return to the department in the future.

“It’s hard to say goodbye. I’ll make myself available in the future if this administration is interested in having me back in this department or another department as long as I’m not in any conflicting situation with my military obligation. I’ll be happy to take on any other task,” he said.