Along with finding out what are the reasons officers leave the Guam Police Department, a University of Guam study conducted in 2021 also looked into public support and reputation of GPD. KUAM takes a closer look at the study.

The '2021 Guam Police Department Recruitment and Retention Study' was conducted at the request of Chief Stephen Ignacio.

Although, the study was led by students of University of Guam's Master of Public Administration Program, the survey was created and approved by GPD. However, upon receiving data in August of 2021, GPD did not disclose findings.

Along with finding out potential factors for personnel leaving the police department, the study also covered other areas.

A portion focused on the publics support of GPD?

49% of sworn personnel surveyed are not confident in the public's support. While 50% of retired employees are somewhat confident. 45% of those no longer employed with GPD were not confident. Another part of the study looked into the reputation of GPD.

38% of uniformed officers are not confident in the reputation of the agency and 75% of retirees are not confident. When it came to those no longer employed with the agency, 55% were not confident.

With recent incidents of officers testing positive for drugs and police brutality being reported and internal affairs investigations ongoing. Does the study, although done three years ago reflect the current state of Guam's premier law enforcement agency?

Senator Chris Barnett, public safety chair says, "The issues that it raises and the data is still relevant here in 2024, and it's something that warrants a sit down conversation with the GPD leadership to address the study and findings."