Guam Police Department budget sees $2.9M increase for FY 2026 personnel costs

The 38th Guam Legislature held a budget hearing on June 13, 2025, focusing on the fiscal year 2026 budget. A significant topic of discussion was the $2.9 million increase in the budget compared to the previous year, with particular attention on how much of this increase would be allocated to salaries.

During the meeting, legislators expressed concerns about the rising personnel costs, which have seen a notable increase of 25.59% from fiscal year 2024 to 2025. Questions were raised regarding the distribution of the new funds, especially in relation to overtime pay for police officers. It was highlighted that while the overall budget for the Guam Police Department (GPD) had increased, the operational budget for neighborhood patrols had not seen a proportional rise.

One key point of confusion was the timing of the budget adjustments. It was noted that a substantial increase in the GPD budget, amounting to $6.7 million, was only being requested for fiscal year 2026, despite expectations that such an increase would have been included in the fiscal year 2025 budget. The GPD representatives explained that the additional funds were not accounted for in the initial budget proposal for FY 2025, leading to the current request for FY 2026.

The discussions underscored the ongoing challenges faced by the Guam government in managing personnel costs and ensuring adequate funding for essential services, particularly in law enforcement. As the budget process continues, the implications of these financial decisions will be closely monitored by both lawmakers and the public.