by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The Guam Police Department may be short of officers, but thanks to a federal grant, the force will soon see some new hires. Police Chief Fred Bordallo says the department has already assigned its community assisted policing effort officers and civilian police reservists out to the precincts to help patrol officers, but he's also working on hiring a dozen new cops.

"I just authorized the hiring of 12 new positions under our cops grant and they're being screened right now and a number of them already have basic law enforcement academy certificates so the process for getting them out onto the streets will be quicker and an orientation and training for them and this just helps out," said the chief.

Bordallo added that the department is also working with other law enforcement agencies to help augment and provide additional presence in their respective areas to help deter crime.