by Mindy Aguon

Guam - As the Guam Police Department prepares for its 2013 Police Week festivities, Police Chief Fred Bordallo wanted to recognize the hardworking and dedicated men and women of the agency who have worked tirelessly to keep our island safe and put criminals behind bars. The chief specifically referred to recent cases that have made headlines in recent weeks from a home invasion in Piti that resulted in the arrest of two career criminals and a male minor to the San Jose Mart robbery that resulted in the arrest of three individuals.

Chief Bordallo recognized his officers for looking into various leads and following up on information that resulted in those arrests as well as this weekend's arrest of a former Department of Corrections officer who was arrested for allegedly robbing two female tourists. Recognition was also given to criminal investigation division agents who followed up on a criminal sexual conduct complaint of a female minor. The agents worked with Port Orchard, Washington police which led to the arrest of a man accused of sexually assaulting her.

GPD spokesperson Officer Paul Tapao says police officers have also showed their empathy by working with emotionally disturbed individuals looking to harm themselves. Tumon-Tamuning Precinct Command Operations Sergeant Eric Toves, a trained crisis negotiator, convinced a man to surrender a knife while in an interview room at the precinct. Dededo Precinct officers as well as the Crisis Negotiation Team, Lieutenant Mark Torre, Sergeant Emily Charfauros, and Sergeant Michael Aguon were recognized for their work in calming a woman down after she wanted to inflict harm on herself in Dededo over the weekend.

More officers will be recognized during an awards ceremony scheduled for Thursday, May 16 at the GPD Headquarters in Tiyan. The ceremony is part of 2013 Police Week activities that will begin on Sunday with special masses held at various churches around the island.

A peace officers memorial will be held on Wednesday and a static display and police demonstration will be held on Friday with a ride to honor the fallen police and peace officers to be held on Saturday.