Proposed legislation streamlines hiring law enforcers

It's a bill aimed at streamlining the recruitment and hiring of law enforcement officers, specifically for the Guam Police Department, Customs and Quarantine, Department of Corrections and other Category-1 peace officers. On Monday, a hearing was held for Bill 31-36 also known as the "Swift Appointment Modernization Act of 2021."

Introduced by Minority Leader, Senator James Moylan says that the measure came about from a series of town hall meetings that were held back in 2019, in which there were concerns about the lack of law enforcement personnel. Sen. Moylan noted that although there were public safety job fairs that were well attended, the agencies continue to have shortfalls.

 

"This measure is one of three that will address filling those shortfalls. I do understand DOA puts a lot of detail and integrity into the merit hiring process. With this measure, we do hope though to expedite the process and allow DOA to come up with the changes within 60 days upon implementing this bill into law," he said.

The measure would increase in the listing of applicants for new cycles, reduce appeal period timeline, and allow for the continuation of interviews to anticipate uncertainties. GPD Chief Stephen Ignacio provided testimony in support of the bill.

"So expanding the list to three times the number, I think, would help department heads in the law enforcement community to just go through the list that they have because it's three times the openings they have. What I will caution is that we apply this list fairly," he added.

Also speaking in support of the bill was Department of Corrections Deputy Director Robert Camacho and from Guam Customs and Quarantine Chief Vincent Perez.