by Nick Delgado

Guam - Acting Police Chief Frank Ishizaki is defending his actions with respect to bringing former chief Paul Suba back on the force. In his weekly column in the Pacific Daily News, Ishizaki stresses that he always follows the law and although he doesn't know why Suba want to come to the Guam Police Department after such a "dramatic exit", the top brass believes that Suba has that right.

There are two conflicting laws: one that would allow Suba to return to a classified position he held prior to his appointment as chief and another that would prevent Suba's reinstatement to a police captain because he doesn't meet the qualifications that require a college degree for the position.

Ishizaki wrote in his column that he sought guidance from the Attorney General's Office and was advised that 5 GCA Section 3104 is applicable to Suba. The Department of Administration is still waiting on the AG's Office response to its request for a legal opinion on the two laws.

Lawmakers last Friday amended the law repealing Section 3104 as a rider to Bill 271, which does away with GPD's legal counsel. Ishizaki wrote that he believes that portion is "unenforceable and unconstitutional."

The paperwork for Suba to be reinstated at GPD is currently being processed with the expectation that he will return to the force sometime possibly this week.