Police budget and reform compliance take center stage as House panel questions funding and transition costs

Lawmakers pressed the police leadership on April 29 about how an $872 million police budget is allocated, how federal reimbursements and grants will be used, and how an imminent statutory change to create an independent police agency would affect operations and costs.

What lawmakers asked first: Representative Víctor Parés Otero and others questioned whether the police can sustain needed investments — especially in technology and personnel — without continued federal support. Joseph González, commissioner of the Puerto Rico Police, answered budget and operational questions for the committee.

Key points - Budget and payroll: Commissioner González said the police’s current budget is approximately $872 million and that about 87% of that funding goes to payroll. Committee members flagged the small remaining share for equipment and modernization. - Federal funds and reimbursements: Witnesses said the police expect a federal reimbursement allotment of roughly $27 million (a federal approval letter was referenced during testimony). Committee members also discussed a long‑standing FCC matter tied to 9‑1‑1 funds — witnesses referenced an earlier $20 million issue that has not been fully reconciled in prior administrations and remains under review. - Overtime and immediate needs: Garfer said the department requested an immediate cash allocation to cover police overtime; figures discussed included an immediate draw of $12.5 million and a larger request to the oversight board of about $100 million to cover hours through the end of June. - Reform compliance and technology: Secretariat testimony placed police reform compliance at around 82% per the federal monitor’s last semiannual report. Officials said the remaining compliance gaps are mainly technological — dispatch, evidence management and license renewals — and that a multi‑year technology investment (estimates discussed ranged from roughly $129M to $139M) aims to close that gap. - Proposed split and transition cost: Representatives discussed House Bill 406, a measure to separate the police from the DCP umbrella into its own entity. Garfer said transition planning will begin if the measure becomes law; early studies shown to the committee estimated transition costs in the tens of millions of dollars (one estimate cited roughly $90 million). He said the transition cost is not included in the current FY26 budget request.

Quotes and attributions Representative Víctor Parés Otero led questions about helicopters, drones and long‑range aerial capability; Commissioner González said the police currently have seven helicopters and are acquiring two more, and that staffing for air operations will need careful planning as pilots near retirement.

Why it matters The police budget and its mix of payroll, federal reimbursements and capital investments determines whether the island can sustain reforms in use‑of‑force, evidence handling and community policing. The committee signaled it will seek more detailed, line‑by‑line breakdowns of how federal awards and recovery funds will be allocated to technology and capital projects.

Requests and follow ups Committee members requested an itemized technology cost forecast, an explicit plan for the $27 million federal reimbursement when it arrives, and a detailed estimate of one‑time transition costs should House Bill 406 pass. They asked the department to provide the material within five to ten days.