With Mes CHamoru coming to a close, Chief Stephen Ignacio has finally provided comment on a recent order handed down by Col. Joseph Carbullido, banning the use of the sinahi and any cultural statement within the Guam Police Department claiming it gives off an ‘unprofessional appearance.’

As KUAM reported, the ban was brought to light by officers upset by the order, especially during a time when we are supposed to be celebrating the CHamoru culture.

Ignacio, unaware of the order initially, said that GPD is a paramilitary organization but they are revisiting the policy to see if a compromise could be made.

“Sometimes timing is everything. Could we have done it in April or May? We have a new police Colonel, and we finally filled the position. He is going around, making his rounds, meeting some of the people and addressing the concerns throughout the department…We want to make sure that our officers are safe and what they wear is appropriate to the profession,” said Ignacio.

It was on Friday when Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio spoke on the matter and he said he would meet with Ignacio and Carbullido to discuss the ban and how it could be addressed moving forward.

Ignacio said that he has yet to sit down with Tenorio but looks forward to it.