27 Mar 2012

CNMI police chief suspended

2:40 pm on 27 March 2012

The Northern Marianas governor Benigno Fitial has placed the Department of Public Safety commissioner, Ramon Mafnas, on administrative leave from Monday until further notice.

Mr Fitial says the DPS deputy commissioner, Ambrosio Ogumoro, will serve as acting commissioner for both police and the Department of Corrections.

Meanwhile the Attorney General Edward Buckingham says his office is reviewing complaints against Mr Mafnas after at least 139 police staff petitioned for his removal.

The petition accused Mr Mafnas of authoritarian leadership, a confrontational approach, micro-management, and lack of faith and trust in the staff.