How will operations and patrol within the Guam Police Department be affected?  In the past three weeks alone, there have been eleven officers who have either resigned or retired. Although the chief of police says half of that number are retirees, it is a concern. It's a matter that he has discussed with the governor and lieutenant governor and plans to address with the public safety oversight chair. 

"Between the end of the fiscal year to the beginning of the new calendar year, between September 31 to January, is when people from my experience, people normally take that step and say 'It's time for me to go'," explained Chief Stephen Ignacio. The number who have who have resigned or retired is alarming.

"I read recently in an article in Police One that a lot of police departments are experiencing this. All of the officers, like myself who joined in 1987 or in the 90s, we're at the thirty-year mark," he said. It's prompted talks with the administration and Ignacio also has a meeting with Senator Shawn Gumataotao, who is the public safety oversight chair.

Ignacio says a new police cycle will be underway soon. There are 35 applicants who have passed the background check and polygraph and  are now ready to move onto the psychological exam stage. This is from an original list of 78 applicants. But keep in mind, those that move on

"This is going to be the first cycle where they have to put pen to paper and says 'I am committing to three years'," Ignacio said.

As we reported, it was during Governor Lou Leon Guerrero's State of the Island Address where she announced the payback provision for new law enforcement recruits. "We will ask you to sign on for a minimum of three-year commitment to serve the agency you trained with. Should you leave government service early, you will be asked to repay the pro-rated share of your training cost."

Ignacio reassures the public that even with the number of officers leaving, there will still be officers out on the streets. With patrol the priority. He says if he have has to, they will shift officers around and put them out.