GPD Identifies Funding to Recruit & Hire 73 New Full-time Police Trainees
Hagåtña, Guam – The Leon Guerrero-Tenorio Administration announces plans to recruit and hire up to 73 new police officers through the maximization of federal and local funds — signifying the largest expansion of the Guam Police Department (GPD) workforce in recent years.
As part of the Administration’s investment initiatives, GPD has identified funding from various sources to secure the following amount of recruits:
- 25 from the COPS Hiring Program 2022
- 21 from American Rescue Plan funds
- 20 from the Fiscal Year 2023 GPD budget
- 7 from the COPS Hiring Program 2020
“Our efforts to eliminate the government’s deficit and engage in strict fiscal discipline has directly improved Guam’s financial health and our ability to bolster the state of public safety on our island,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “How safe we feel at home, at work, and at every corner of our community has been a constant priority for our Administration, which is why we’ve pursued every opportunity to elevate our command of law enforcement. The strategic combination of federal funds and local investment will grow the next front line of police officers who will meet the mission of ensuring that everyone is safe and secure on our island.”
“While we work toward the construction of a new Talo’fo’fo’ Police Precinct, we know that it is our dedicated law enforcement personnel who make the difference in our fight against crime, and that is where we have concentrated our efforts,” said Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio. “Ensuring that federal resources maximize the reach of local funding has enabled us to not only push public safety initiatives forward, but also to address police pay disparities prolonged by past administrations. Correcting those inequities has led to better retention and recruitment at GPD, the increase of patrol officers, and a path toward building a stronger police force for Guam.”
The COPS Hiring Program (CHP) is a competitive grant program designed to provide funding directly to law enforcement agencies to hire and/or rehire additional career law enforcement officers in an effort to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. The Government of Guam will provide 20% matching funds under the grant provisions.
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