GPD morale in the spotlight

Concerns over officer morale taking center stage at the Guam Legislature — after allegations involving a high-ranking member of the Guam Police Department surfaced during an oversight hearing.

Officer morale was front and center as lawmakers pressed leadership at GPD during a wide-ranging oversight hearing. The Committee on Public Safety, Emergency Management, and Guam National Guard — chaired by Senator Shawn Gumataotao — had a full agenda: performance-based budgeting, carryover authorization, funded vacancies, and the overall impact on employee morale. But it was Senator Chris Barnett who zeroed-in on a December incident that he says has sparked frustration within the ranks.

He stated, "This was regarding a high-profile pullover of one of the command staff. A high-ranking police officer was allegedly pulled over for speeding 55 in a 35 mph zone. there was allegedly a confrontation with the hand ranking officer and the patrol officer."

Barnett told the panel he was contacted by multiple officers regarding the traffic stop. According to Barnett, there are claims the senior officer confronted the patrol officer and allegedly said, “Do you know who I am?”

He added that officers are questioning why the individual was not placed on leave — particularly if that same person oversees those connected to the investigation. "Part of the problem the laws and general orders also say if an officer is involved in this type of incident they are supposed to inform the chief," he said. "But if you read the media reports, the chief was informed by the media. is the high-ranking officer being investigated supposed to be put on leave?"

Barnett warned that when processes appear inconsistent, rank-and-file officers may feel the situation is being swept under the rug — further straining morale inside the department. "That's the grumblings im hearing about morale, is that this person wasn't put on leave and that this individual is in charge of people who are investigating," he said.

Barnett says what's at stake here is defending the rights of junior officers versus their ability to do their job.  The highest-ranking officer present, Colonel Joseph Carbullido, declined to comment, citing an ongoing internal affairs investigation.

"Unfortunately we can't comment on that because that is an ongoing internal affairs investigation. And we are not at liberty to discuss that," he said.

As the internal affairs investigation continues, lawmakers say transparency and accountability will be key — not just to resolve the case at hand, but to restore confidence among the officers sworn to serve and protect.