Although an agenda had already been set for Tuesday's Oversight Hearing with the Guam Police Department, Public Safety Committee Chair, Sen. Chris Barnett found it imperative to include a pair of incidences coming out of the agency recently, specifically a longtime officer testing positive for meth

Barnett said, “I haven’t heard any information about this case since it was reported in the media. I wanted to see if you wanted to provide any details to this.”

And the Chief of Police, Stephen Ignacio said, “There is an internal affairs investigation that was launched regarding the discovery of drug paraphernalia inside a patrol vehicle. We narrowed it down, conducted drug testing, one of the officers did test positive. I can't say anything more beyond this point.” 

Barnett then asked, “Does the Guam Police Department have a zero tolerance policy for those who test positive?”

“Absolutely. There is no safe harbor law for law enforcement officers,” replied Ignacio. 

He confirmed that the officer has been placed on administrative leave.

Another incident the Public Safety Chair wished to address was the recent unsealing of federal court documents regarding an illegal gambling investigation in 2020 involving a handful of GPD officers.

In response, Ignacio said, “What's new is the additional three initials. The main officer named in 2020, and the officer named in these documents remains the same. What's new is the three additional officers. With the initials. I met with the secret service once the documents were unsealed because I was not tracking that these documents were going to be unsealed.” 

As KUAM reported, the documents provide the first and last name of one officer who was assigned to SWAT and was also an Air Force Reservist, allegedly operating out of a Sinajana home. 

Records also listed the initials of three other cops who helped to manage buy-in and cash-out processes.

“They have not provided me with the names of the three additional individuals, he is working with me to try and get me the names. He has consulted with the US attorney's office. They have no issues releasing the names of the individuals but at this point I have no names other than initials. And quite frankly, there's quite a few people in the department that have those initials. I have to work with factual information,” said Ignacio. 

He added, “I know the media says according to their sources, I can go and talk to the media and ask if they want to tell me who their sources are, and as you and I sit here, you know they aren't going to tell me....so I have to work with factual information.” 

When Barnett asked if any officers had come forward indicating they are part of the investigation, Ignacio said no.

KUAM will have more from the oversight hearing on primetime tomorrow.