During the Guam Police Department budget hearing Monday afternoon, lawmakers brought up the 25% retention pay referring to a letter out of Department of Administration to the Governor of Guam recommending the adjustment but citing other factors that may contribute to attrition such as working conditions, unprofessional supervision, or excessive or unsocial hours.

“Working conditions are one of the important things. It's one of things that the colonel and I and the majors discussed frequently. With the shortage that we have, we're requiring officers to work beyond their regular 43-hour work week. Just supporting the safe schools initiative costs a lot of money, really besides the money it's the toll that it takes on the officer having to take on those extra 12 hours a week. We've had to make sure we keep a cap on the overtime for the officers not for saving money, but really to help that officer to recover and recuperate because the last thing you need on duty is a fatigued officer that is just overworked and just tired,” said Chief of Police Stephen Ignacio. 

We should note that GPD is requesting $55 million with $12.5 million to go toward nine million for personnel, 1.5 million for the safe schools and two-million for the crime lab.