Back in 2021, graduate students from the University of Guam's Master of Public Administration program were asked to assist in a recruitment and retention study for the Guam Police Department. The request came from the police chief to find out what are the true causes for officers leaving GPD. KUAM was able to obtain a copy of the study through a Freedom of Information Act.

"I wanted to find out what are the true causes for officers? The basic assumption or the popular assumption is that we lose the because of better pay. And salaries," explained the chief about the purpose of the study.

"I'd like to find out if there are other factors that may push an officer to the edge. They may say, 1) better pay and 2) bad management at GPD, bad supervisors, lack of equipment, lack of good working facilities. What are the root causes and reasons that people leave the Guam Police Department? "

Chief Ignacio during a public hearing on May 10, 2021 referred to a study that then instructor, Dr. John Rivera and students from UOG conducted. The study came at the request of Ignacio.

The data was  submitted to GPD in August 2021, to be used at their discretion. Through a FOIA request, KUAM was able to obtain a copy of the study. Although conducted over three years ago, do the findings still hold true?

"People are still leaving. When I came in in 2019, between 2019 and 2024, I have hired 105 new police officers. After hiring 105 new police officers, I'm still operating at a net loss of about 26 police officers. More people have left the Guam Police Department," he confirmed.

Ignacio spoke at a recent Guam Chamber of Commerce meeting on the difficulties of recruiting and retaining officers. Taking a look at the study, it was broken down into four sections of who took part in the survey: sworn officers, unsworn or civilians, retired, and those no longer employed with GPD.

With sworn officers or uniformed personnel, of those surveyed, the top 3 reasons to leave GPD are for better pay, inability to be promoted in a timely manner, and better opportunity elsewhere.

63% are not confident in GPD's overall work environment within the next five years. When it came to GPD retirees who were surveyed, the top 3 reasons to leave? Politics, inability to be promoted in a timely manner, and lack of resources.

100% responded that they are not confident in the government's support of GPD.

When it came to leadership, 37% of uniformed personnel who responded said they do not feel valued by leadership, while 36% are not confident in GPD's leadership. 75% of retirees surveyed said that they felt that leadership did not value them. 75% are not confident in the competency of GPD's leadership, and 75% are not confident in GPD leadership.

The study concluded with some recommendations on GPD leadership to include:

*address the lack of confidence the organization has in its leadership.

*explore ways to gain public trust, support, and overall positive perception of GPD.

*work on leadership and managerial training to ensure those in position over others have the people skills needed to be successful. Promotion and advancement simply because you are good at your job does not mean you have been trained or are equipped to lead others

The big question: has GPD made the recommended improvements?