Calling it a "realignment of the organizational structure to open up leadership positions and be fully equipped for the military buildup", chief of the Guam Police Paul Suba has proposed changes be made to the job specifications of his rank and file.  But a number of officers and elected leaders are questioning the amendments, as well as the timing of the chief's proposal as efforts are underway to employ a former police officer to a high-ranking position.

 

"I have P.O. I's and P.O. II's from the Airport Police, Port Police, Marshals, that want to come into police and even from DOC, and I can't do anything," said Paul Suba.  He's is seeking to amend job specifications for police officer positions from the rank of Police Officer I all the way up to Police Major.  The top brass is looking to expand the force with the addition of 2 majors, 10 captains, 11 lieutenants, 4 Sergeant II's and 10 Sergeant I positions, along with the hiring of more than 250 police officers.  His request though isn't sitting well with the rank and file, many who believe the proposal lowers the standards for Guam's finest.

 

Police Lieutenant Fred Bordallo is one of 9 others in the same rank who are currently eligible as the job specs stand to be promoted to captain.  "This minimum qualification proposal that exists, I just don't think that's it's amenable," he shared with KUAM News.  "Even in the military, they have time in grade and requirements, it doesn't slow the process of mobility."

 

Lt. Bordallo contends that mobility isn't hampered as nearly 100 officers have been promoted in the last decade under the current standards.  

 

And lawmakers like Law Enforcement Oversight Chair Senator Adolpho Palacios question why the chief is attempting to fix something that isn't broken.  Said the Democrat, "There's no need to do this and I say why because under the current requirements, a sufficient number of police officers qualify under that so what is the need there exists no need to do this and it cannot be justified." 

 

He added, "Anything that you lower, means you lower from the better to the less better [sic]."

 

As it stands now, in order to move up the ranks, an individual must have previously held experience in the prior rank.  For example, in order to be promoted to the rank of Police Captain, the current language states that the individual must have 2 years experience in the rank of police lieutenant and 90 semester hours of college credits.  Suba has requested the specification be changed to "two years of experience in the rank of police lieutenant or equivalent law enforcement work or any equivalent combination of law enforcement education, training and experience which provides the minimum knowledge, abilities and skills."

 

While Suba claims the current language is impeding the agency's ability to promote and hire officers, KUAM News has confirmed the chief is looking to hire former senator and former Airport Police chief Mark Charfauros, who recently settled his case with the Guam International Airport Authority.  Instead of returning to GIAA, the former senator is looking to return to his old stomping grounds through a lateral transfer.

 

Here's the catch: Charfauros wants to be hired at GPD as a Police Captain, even though he left the police department more than 20 years ago in the rank of Police Officer I.

 

Asked about the situation, Chief Suba said, "I can't comment on it because I don't know all the details."  When KUAM News inquired if he had a meeting with Governor Felix Camacho about bringing Charfauros on board, Suba responded by saying, "Oh no, I had meetings not only with the governor, but BBMR, DOA, his attorney and the Airport's attorney.  But again, everything goes back to focusing on working out whatever their situation with the CSC."

 

Department of Administration human resources administrator Cecilia Martinez told KUAM News that following a public comment period, the chief's proposed changes will be made allowing Charfauros to be hired.  "You do not fit the qualifications to a person," she clarified.  "You fit the person to the position qualification, and that way it's fair to everybody."

 

Senator Ben Pangelinan also questions the timing and the proposal, calling them suspect.  "It's obvious this is done to accommodate someone," he said, "it just is another step in tarnishing the image of the department, the leadership of the Department, that they're willing to do anything at all to make accommodations.  We don't need that in law enforcement and we don't need that in law enforcement, we don't need that in the merit system."

 

DOA is accepting public comments until January 15.  In the meantime, Senator Palacios has requested the agency defer action on the police chief's request until the department can provide further information that justifies lower the current qualification standards.