GPD ties FY '27 budget to performance metrics amid staffing gaps

A new season of budget talks is preparing to get underway with policymakers implementing a new system of performance-based budgeting. This week, the Guam Police Department appeared before senators, detailing their progress in the last year and how it will justify their budget request.

As the Government of Guam prepares to build its next budget, lawmakers are asking agencies a different question this year – not just how much do they need, but what are the people of Guam getting in return? The 38th Guam Legislature is shifting to a performance-based budget model, linking funding requests to measurable results – with Fiscal Year 2027 as its first real test.

On Tuesday, GPD's command staff appeared before the Legislative Committee on Public Safety, led by Senator Shawn Gumataotao.

Colonel Joseph Carbullido, speaking on behalf of GPD Chief Stephen Ignacio, outlined the key areas that their funding request will go towards.

GPD's structure centers on four bureaus: operations, investigations, forensic sciences, and services. And across the board, command staff stated significant personnel shortages totaling about 200 vacant positions are preventing the department from operating as it should.

Carbullido adding that many GPD applicants don’t pass written tests and background checks, or officers struggle with the demands of the job itself.  “Let’s say 50 pass," he shared theoretically. "By the time we finish with the mandated requirement, you’re probably lucky to get 10 after the vetting process.”

And while pay increases and retention incentives have been implemented, the colonel says it’s not just about the money. “And retention, I already spoke about. It’s not all about the money. You can give people money, but are they willing to perform the job that’s required?” Carbullido stated.

However, certain partnerships within GPD have helped to alleviate strain and produce results, including deploying its K-9 Unit as a force multiplier.  “This partnership has been an undeniable success for the agency. Since July [2025], proactive work has led to 76+ total arrests and the seizure of 175.76 grams of methamphetamine, 5 grams of cocaine, and two full syringes of liquid meth," he detailed.

In addition, GPD reported a homicide clearance rate of 71% – surpassing the national average of just over 61%. And the number of robberies have also dropped more than 43% in the last three years.

The department has also increased it’s community engagement, fostering a culture of collective responsibility for the safety of our island through Neighborhood Watch programs, placement of school resource officers, a criminal justice course at Tiyan High School, and expansion of its Project U initiative.

“The Guam Police Department’s performance-based budget framework is designed to ensure that all uniformed officers and civilian employees are effectively led, compensated, trained, and equipped to meet operational demands," he said.

As budget deliberations accelerate, lawmakers will have to decide whether GPD's results — and its recruitment realities — justify the price tag.