At a time when Guam's law enforcement agencies are losing officers to retirement and federal employers, officials say Bill 103, introduced by Senator Shawn Gumataotao, could provide much-needed relief by letting criminal justice graduates temporarily join the force while they finish their Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST, certification.

The bill is aimed at graduates who already have degrees but are missing specific training required by the POST commission.

The University of Guam supports the measure, but says it’s time to modernize how POST operates.

“There’s some things... that need to take place to ‘re-look’ at POST... because there’s simply better methods and better ways to do things,” said Dr. Ronald McNinch, with the Public Admin. & Legal Studies at the University of Guam. 

At the Attorney General’s Office, staffing shortages are affecting operations.

“I can attest to the operational impact that ongoing shortages of the Peace Officers have on our ability to prosecute our criminal cases,” said Carene Blas, Administrative Supervisor at the Office of the Attorney General.

Blas says those same hiring and training delays affect agencies islandwide – raising concerns about vacancies and burnout.

“Delays in Peace Officer certifications prolong vacancies, increase the burden on existing personnel, and negatively affect morale and retention,” added Blas. “This is an essential step in addressing the current public safety gaps, while maintaining the integrity of the certification process.”

If passed, the bill would also allow the manpower development fund to help pay for training, something the Guam Community College says is a logical fit.

“Some of GCC’s boot camps are funded by the MDF. So, the use of the MDF for temporary certification of Peace Officers would fit our model well,” said Dr. Mary Okada, GCC President. 

But not everyone is on board with using MDF. The Guam Department of Labor raises concerns.

“To tap the MDF for it might be a problem,” said DOL Administrator Greg Massey. “What they’ve done now in the budget is they’ve turned around and funded us fully under MDF. So any funding that you’re going to take to do this activity would take directly from our operations.”

Meanwhile, POST Commission Director John Lizama says POST will work with GCC to build a curriculum that fills the gaps, while giving agencies confidence in their recruits.

“Over the last year and a half, I have received over 20 applicants or inquiries from individuals who have earned their Bachelor’s in criminal justice, but they do lack POST certification,” said John Lizama, POST Executive Director.

And some agencies are already bracing for a wave of retirements, including the Attorney General’s office.

“The POST temporary temporary certification would greatly assist the AG’s office in having the ability to recruit individuals out of both UOG and GCC, and provide interested individuals with the necessary experience and training to be POST certified law enforcement officers,” said William Salisbury, Criminal Investigator at the Office of the Attorney General. 

With each agency voicing strong support of Bill 103, they agree balancing urgency and standards is a priority as they continue to work towards providing local graduates a path forward in public safety.