Lawmakers press GPD on morale, internal affairs caseload and oversight gaps
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Summary
Legislators raised concerns about officer morale tied to an ongoing internal affairs probe of a high-ranking officer, an anonymous allegation of misuse of a federally funded vehicle, and the dormancy of the Police Review Commission; GPD confirmed 16 pending IA cases and said the commission lacks administrative support.
Guam — During oversight questioning, senators described departmentwide morale concerns tied to an ongoing internal affairs investigation involving a high-ranking officer, an anonymous allegation about misuse of a federally funded vehicle and structural limits on civilian oversight.
When asked about a December media report alleging a senior officer was pulled over and had an altercation with a patrol officer, GPD representatives declined to comment because the matter is an ongoing internal affairs investigation. "Unfortunately, senator, we can't comment on that because that is an ongoing internal affairs investigation, and we're not at liberty to discuss that," a senior GPD official said.
Sen. Barnett said officers and members of the public were discussing the incident and raised questions about whether the officer had been placed on administrative leave; GPD told the committee that decisions about administrative leave are at the chief's discretion and vary based on the situation.
Separately, the committee received an anonymous legislative email alleging that a vehicle purchased under a recreational boating safety grant had been used as a command staff member's personal administrative vehicle. GPD said there had been no report to the chief on that allegation and senators said they would forward the correspondence for the chief and committee to review.
On internal oversight structures, GPD told the committee the Internal Affairs Section currently has four investigators and one supervisor, and the department reported 16 pending IA cases as of FY2026. Committee members questioned whether conflicts of interest with internal investigators were being handled; GPD said conflicts are separated from investigations and, when appropriate, matters can be referred outside the department.
Lawmakers also discussed the Police Review Commission, which several witnesses described as dormant because it lacked administrative rules, staff and a clear appeals interface with civil service processes. Witnesses said the enabling law did not supply necessary administrative infrastructure, leaving the commission unable to function as intended.
Officials and committee members discussed morale interventions including peer support groups, reestablished ombudsman roles and plans to hire a staff psychologist and a legal adviser; recruitment for these positions is ongoing and some measures are being pursued via memoranda of understanding or temporary awards while hiring proceeds.
The committee asked GPD to follow up on the anonymous vehicle allegation, provide updated IA caseload detail and identify steps to restore effective civilian oversight.
