Bureau of Public Safety Cary Levitre sat in the hot seat at his first public appearance upon his return from a four-month medical leave on Wednesday during the Presidential Press Conference.
After evading the media’s questions in the first three months in office, Mr. Levitre was not spared when he appeared at the press conference to report on the missing diver and search and rescue efforts. After reporting on the missing diver, questions about his educational background, his hand surgery that had him out of the country for four months, and the resignation of Deputy Director Richard Ngiratrang upon his return were lobbed at him, causing President Whipps and Vice President Senior to run interference to redirect discussions to other topics.
Mr. Levitre, the first non-Palauan appointed chief of police since Palau’s Independence, was scrutinized after he was appointed Director of the Bureau of Public Safety. Questions regarding his educational background and canine training qualifications were posed to him during the first three months in office. He refused to respond to the local media for the three months in office. Numerous attempts to interview him were refused until he departed for “hand surgery” in the US.
During this first public appearance, local media asked again the questions they had for him last year. They were told at the press conference that the questions were either too personal or irrelevant. For example, his resume stated that he graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alameda. An online search shows this was a scam university where people buy fake degrees. Mr. Levitre said this was a typo error, that his alma mater is Alameda College, and that it has been so long that his degree is in a basement somewhere in Germany.
Kambes Kesolei, a reporter for Tia Belau, asserted that the questions were relevant because they verified Levitre’s credibility. He has not been honest and forthcoming since the beginning. How can the public trust him and the statements he makes?
The media’s relentless questions regarding Levitre’s resume were said to be irrelevant as Vice President Senior expressed that the ultimate authority in appointing the Director lies with the President. President Whipps said he was satisfied with the credentials provided by Levitre.
Director Levitre appointed Chief Favian Ngiramengior yesterday as the Public Information Officer for BPS to “ “enhancing communication with the public and ensuring transparency in our operations.”