by Nick Delgado

Guam - The Guam Police Department has racked up a bill of nearly a quarter-million dollars to relocate its headquarters facility in Tiyan. That's the information reported out during today's informational briefing between the force and lawmakers.

During an informational briefing hosted by the Committee on Public Safety today, GPD Chief of Police Fred Bordallo stated, "It's been a challenge the department has had in terms of incurring cost for the relocation." GPS currently pays $230,000 for rent at it's current HQ. Bordallo says more than $61,000 in overtime was racked up by officers to move. The force also has major expenditures - $100,000 power and water bill for the past quarter at the former HQ, $44,000 for utilities at the current HQ, $9,000 for Internet connectivity, and $88,000 needed to move records and id out by the end of this month. Bordallo is optimistic funds will be identified to pay this all off.

He said, "I think it's going to be real soon since we are moving toward 2013 budget and I happy with what we've been given in order to perform mission the public expects of GPD," he said.

But Senator Tom Ada questioned, what sacrifices will GPD make if funds are not found? "There's been talk in GPD about LT's on up about the hazardous pay they have, there's been discussion also on situation with CVPR officer program where you have to pay if they complete 42 hours a $250 stipend and that's every month if they work but its not really meant to be a salary unlike the full time who get only one shot $300 for uniform allowance and we say should those be frozen or can we adjust that and make it a one time $300 annual shot for them and those monies we would of paid monthly be diverted to pay other obligations," he said.

In addition to the current budgetary issues the chief of police says he has, he also hopes to resolve some of the personnel shortages he faces today. Bordallo admits he may also have to hold back on future increments for officers, saying, "We are making due because not only do we have augmentation from full-time officers, rescheduling with unmarked plain clothes out there but we also have reserve force to help with manpower out on patrol."

GPD has 61 percent of its vehicle fleet up and running today. The top brass also says plans are in motion to hold public meetings in march to inform the community about proposed fee increases in an effort to help get the force financially back on its feet.