SAIPAN — Police Commissioner Anthony Macaranas has been reinstated to his position at the Department of Public Safety. Macaranas was reinstated Thursday morning, days after Acting Governor Dennis Mendiola fired him while Governor David Apatang was in Washington, D.C. on a federal engagement trip.
Mendiola fired Macaranas and the Grants Director while serving as acting governor during Apatang’s absence. The firings drew immediate attention because of their timing and because Macaranas had been the subject of a sexual harassment complaint that had been under review.
Governor Apatang declined to address the firings directly when he held a press conference upon his return, keeping his public remarks focused exclusively on the outcomes of the Washington trip.
NMI News Service has reached out to the Governor’s Office and the Department of Public Safety for comment. A press conference at DPS is expected later today. This story will be updated.