GPD dealing with shortage of manpower

by Nick Delgado

Guam - The Guam Police Department is dealing with a shortage of officers. From those who have medical issues to others who have recently been deployed, the department is feeling the effects of less staff. The good news is the department has received cops grant funding that will pay for as many as 14 new positions.

Police Chief Fred Bordallo says he will be getting a list of eligible individuals who applied so that he can make selections to possibly begin a new cycle.

In the meantime, the department is doing its best to meet its mission despite the shortage of officers. "Our strategy is we look at and build up our reserve program. We're going to recruit a lot of community members that come in and join the Guam Police Department on a part time basis as a police reserve," said Bordallo. We have our CAPE volunteers that help augment and help perform some duties aside from accessibility parking and littering enforcement."

Meanwhile this week the governor is expected to swear in some 30 civilian police reservists who will help augment the shortages on patrol.