Acting Gov. Dennis James Mendiola on Monday terminated the appointment of Anthony I. Macaranas as Department of Public Safety commissioner.
In a letter dated Feb. 23, Mendiola told Macaranas, “I have decided to terminate your appointment as commissioner of DPS.” The termination took effect immediately.
The letter cited a provision in CNMI law stating: “Unless otherwise provided by law, any person appointed to any board, agency, commission or position by the Governor shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and may be removed by the Governor with or without cause.”
Mendiola directed Macaranas to return all government property, including keys, key cards, phones, computer equipment, government-issued firearms and equipment, work documents, records, and any other items, to the special assistant for administration.
“Thank you for your time serving our administration. I wish you good luck in your future endeavors,” Mendiola wrote.
In a separate delegation of authority, Mendiola informed all department and agency heads that DPS Director of Police Aniceto Ogumoro has been designated acting DPS commissioner. He asked them to extend full cooperation as Ogumoro assumes the additional responsibility and continues DPS operations in support of the administration’s priorities.
Macaranas joined the CNMI police force in September 1986 and later became assistant police chief. He retired in 2022 after 35 years of service. The late Gov. Arnold I. Palacios appointed him DPS commissioner in February 2024.
