The Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency’s newest trainees have begun their journey toward becoming sworn law enforcement officers responsible for stopping threats at our island’s borders and ports of entry.

As CQA’s 16th Cycle, these 10 men and one woman, bring a variety of competencies, including the handling of hazardous materials, information technology, basic life support, water safety andmadministrative work.

Such skills can be integral to property and evidence management, improving data systems, maritime enforcement operations, and various other advancements within the agency.

“We have a group of young and energetic trainees who are looking forward to becoming Guam Customs officers,” said CQA Training Supervisor Capt. John Pangelinan. “The training they will be going through is vital for the safety of our island, and we’re confident that they will rise to the challenge. We are excited to see them grow as they start this important new chapter in their career.”

CQA’s officer training program aligns with Guam Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission objectives and is designed to prepare the whole officer through the Guam Community College Criminal Justice Academy, customs and quarantine-centric coursework, on-the-job training, and physical fitness development, among other certifications.

“Expanding our workforce is not just about numbers - it’s about building the capacity to operate more sophisticated systems, managing growing trade volumes, and responding to increasingly complex security challenges. With the graduation of this cycle, we will make meaningful progress toward strengthening our units and being prepared amid a more dynamic operational environment,” said CQA Director Ike Peredo.

CQA currently has 128 law enforcement officers. 

The graduation of this cycle, along with CQA’s ongoing 15th Cycle, will bring the agency’s officer workforce to 169, approximately 61% of CQA’s ideal officer staffing.