The Northern Marianas Governor Ralph Torres wants to increase the overall budget for the Department of Public Safety by $1.2 million.
CNMI police Photo: Supplied
Mr Torres said aside from an increase in its annual budget, he also supported increasing the number of officers in the islands' police force.
The salary of police rank and file has been stagnant for years even as the CNMI has had to deal with a rising drug problem, the advent of casino and e-gaming gambling, as well as the recent legalisation of handguns.
With the tourism industry on the up and revenue from the temporary casino filling up the islands' coffers, Mr Torres said he was now in a better position to give policemen a raise.
He said he would continue to advocate for more funding to ensure that the police force continues to protect the CNMI people's security without worrying about the financial security of their families.