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Tinian acting police director seeks 10 officers, academy support and dedicated travel funds
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Summary
Acting Director Sergeant Wally Villegomez told a municipal budget committee that Tinian’s Department of Public Safety needs 10 funded officer positions to restore patrol coverage and respond to increasing calls tied to population growth, military activity and infrastructure projects.
Acting Director Sergeant Wally Villegomez told a municipal budget committee that Tinian’s Department of Public Safety needs 10 funded officer positions to restore patrol coverage and respond to increasing calls tied to population growth, military activity and infrastructure projects.
"Funding for additional 10 full time equivalent FTE positions is absolutely vital," Villegomez said, saying the department currently has 10 officers and expected some departures that would reduce that number further.
Villegomez asked members to support recruitment planned to begin on 06/23/2025 through the Workforce Investment Agency (WEA), which would fund cadets’ academy training. He said the department hopes the cadet pipeline can be used to fill sustained vacancies after the WEA-funded period.
He also asked the committee to consider creating a dedicated travel line for the department. Historically, the mayor’s office has covered travel expenses for court hearings, detainee escorts to Saipan and juvenile-case travel; Villegomez said relying on ad hoc mayoral payments is not sustainable.
Members pressed on operational details. Villegomez confirmed a communications request (about $17,574) is for landlines and internet service. He said radio coverage is poor on Tinian’s north side and that the department sometimes relies on cell phones. Vehicles: DPS reported six functional vehicles; staffing structure shows heavy reliance on cross-assignment and off-duty call-ins.
A recurring procedural issue emerged: members and DPS staff said the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) previously told an employee that to move into a higher-classified position she would need to resign and reapply, rather than be promoted in place. Several members called that practice unfair and requested OPM document the directive or guidance so the committee can address it during budget and personnel planning.
The department reported ongoing coordination with Saipan for support on training, equipment and grant-based assistance, and described plans to start recruitment and an academy this summer. No formal motions or votes took place during the hearing; members requested paperwork from OPM then and asked finance and mayor’s staff to verify revolving-fund balances and past fund transfers to assure DPS retains traffic- and motor-vehicle–related funds for Real ID support.
