GPD says body-worn camera rules will return to legislature after public hearings

Guam — The Guam Police Department told legislators the department's body-worn camera policy has been revised with input from the Attorney General's office and will undergo public hearings before the rule is finalized.

"Once we're done the 3 public hearings for the body worn cameras, myself and my committee ... we'll compile everything ... send it to the chief for his review," Captain Flickinger said. "And if I'm not mistaken, after that, it will come back to this legislative body for your information and to amend the GAR."

Committee members confirmed three public meetings are scheduled and asked whether the public hearing versions will reflect AG recommendations; GPD replied the versions presented at the hearings will incorporate AG suggestions. Officials said many of GPD's roughly 150 general orders have been updated and are awaiting legal review at the Attorney General's office, which is a principal cause of implementation delay.

Legislators pressed for the process after public hearings and asked about use-of-force and evidence-storage concerns tied to body-worn camera rules. GPD emphasized the need for AG review on items such as evidence storage so the policy will be defensible in court.

The department said it will compile electronic and oral testimony from the hearings, forward the consolidated record to the chief for review and then return the proposed general order through the legislature's administrative-review process.

Next procedural steps include the three scheduled public hearings, completion of the compilation and chief review, and formal return of the draft general order to the legislature for further action or adoption.