She’s the face of the local police department. Now, Officer Berlyn Savella finds herself on the other side of the law after getting a traffic ticket. She fought it in superior court - where a judge found her guilty.

But, internally on the force, KUAM News has confirmed that officers were told from GPD management not to investigate.

The People of Guam v. Defendant Berlyn Savella - Savella, the public information officer of the Guam Police Department, has been found guilty of illegal parking and disobeying parking signs. The case unfolding last December 18. Savella, who was off-duty at the time, was ticketed by a fellow cop for parking her car in a no-parking zone in Tumon.

Images filed in court show other cars parked in the same area – no word if they too were ticketed. Savella contested the case in traffic court last thursday but the courts ruled against her, and she was ordered to pay a $40 fine plus court costs.

Following the incident now more than one month ago, and after the conviction, Savella remains on duty.

Police Chief Stephen Ignacio admits no internal affairs investigation was performed, telling KUAM News, "Because you only have one opportunity to impose discipline. Although she was found guilty…it’s my understanding that those signs where she received the traffic violation have been removed because they were not placed there by DPW."

This despite Guam law stating the chief shall forward alleged violations committed by his officers to Internal Affairs. Ignacio adding the decision to investigate internally depends on the number of infractions an officer has on their record.

"Discipline was administered," said the chief. "I cannot tell you what kind because it’s a personnel matter."

The case now sparking questions of possible corruption happening elsewhere within the police department.

Public safety oversight chair Senator Chris Barnett said, "When there is an infraction, big or small, that GPD leadership has a responsibility to investigate that. It really sends the right message to the rank and file officers who are doing their job and playing by the rules. I think the public does and should hold law enforcement to a higher standard because we are putting them in this position to police us, so I am concerned about that. I am concerned about any incidents of police corruption that I might hear about."

According to GPD’s General Orders under the Code of Ethics, whether on- or off-duty, law enforcement are sworn to keep their private lives unsullied as an example to all.

KUAM also reached out to Officer Savella for comment on her case, but she is waiting for approval.