Fitial: It’s difficult to hire new DPS commissioner

Admitting difficulty, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial is tapping assistance from a Guam consultant to help choose a new Department of Public Safety commissioner.

Fitial said Judith Guthertz, who he said is a former Guam police chief and University of Guam professor will be helping him on the selection of a new police commissioner to replace terminated chief Ernest Williams.

“She is coming up here. She’ll help us to select,” he said during a news briefing Friday.

He said she would not be hired, indicating that no government funds would be spent for her service.

“She’s offered to help [us],” said the governor.

Fitial said hiring a new DPS commissioner is not easy since the position requires somebody “who is highly competent, highly ethical, and highly qualified.”

Acting Public Safety commissioner Ray Mafnas said the issue is “quite complex.”

“Who would be the most suitable? It’s quite complex,” he said, citing that a commissioner is not only concerned with police matters but also fire and motor vehicles.

“It’s a large department. The responsibility is diverse. What we need is a leader,” said Mafnas.

Fitial said Friday that former congressman Clyde Norita, who had served as DPS deputy commissioner, was being considered for DPS, but he refused the offer.

“We had been asking him from the start. He refused to go back to the police department, but he is also helping us find someone fit for the job,” said the governor.

“It’s difficult,” he added.

Fitial maintained that Williams’ termination over two weeks ago was a right move for the department.

“That’s a management decision,” he said.

Fitial, who apparently displeased by Williams’ statements critical of the administration, said Friday that he had actually thought of reassigning Williams to another department.

Now, the governor said he could only say, “we wish him good luck and Godspeed.”

Williams is the son-in-law of Fitial’s top political ally, former Covenant Party chairman Martin Manglona.

The commissioner’s termination came immediately after Fitial and Lt. Gov. Tim P. Villagomez listened to the complaints lodged by the DPS command staff.

Fitial said Friday that the command staff had suggested getting “someone from within.”

Mafnas said the selection is not limited to the local pool of potential candidates.

He said that the administration will put somebody who has a thorough experience in the field and strong leadership qualities.