The chief of police appeared before lawmakers recently to defend the GPD's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026. But that wasn’t the only issue on the table — the chief also fielded a wide range of questions including the status of precincts and kobans, surveillance and audiovisual equipment, precinct upkeep, and even updates on the renaming and new signage for two of the island’s precincts.

Along with presenting GPD’s 2026 budget, lawmakers used the hearing to press the chief of police on the status of the island’s precincts.  Public safety chair Sen. Shawn Gumataotao zeroed in on one issue — the status of $200,000 appropriated to GPD for audiovisual equipment back in 2022.

"Wow. Why do you start with wow? I've had that since 2022, I've had an easier time spending $54 million than spending $200,000, I kid you not," he said.

Chief Stephen Ignacio admitted it’s been surprisingly tough to spend that money, saying, "Well, I can report thankfully to my knowledge, a vendor actually did a site visit so they could build a quote to that specific project."

The audiovisual upgrades are meant to record police interviews and interrogations — a measure prompted after a couple came forward last year alleging they were assaulted by an officer inside the Dededo Precinct, where no cameras captured the incident. 

Also on the topic of precincts — Sen. Chris Barnett praised the improvements at the Central Precinct, which had faced criticism for overgrown weeds and peeling paint. "I want to thank you for the upgrades, I do drive by there and it is so 'shnarp'," he said.

Barnett also reminded the chief about renaming efforts. Last year, he introduced a bill to rename the Hågat Southern Precinct to honor the late sen. Jose T. "Pedo" Terlaje — a measure that passed with unanimous support. 

On December 27, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed it into law in front of the Terlaje family. "Does there need to be any additional funding because I haven't heard about any forward movement. We're moving forward, we're buying roadside signs and plaques for the precincts along with the Connie Duenas Precinct," Barnett said.

That precinct — the Central Precinct — was officially renamed in 2018 as the Lieutenant Concepcion ‘Connie’ Balajadia Duenas Police Station. 

And in Tumon, Ignacio confirming that plans are underway to re-open the koban thanks to the work of some officers and donations from the community  — with a stand-up and ceremony scheduled for June 27.