By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff

THE Guam Police Department has implemented a seven-point emergency cost-cutting mechanism that includes a temporary moratorium on overtime work and restrictions on the use of its resources as part of its efforts to rescue the government of Guam from financial collapse, according to acting Police Chief Paul Suba.
At the same time, GPD established new fees for police services such as escorting funerals, sports and other special events and fees for issuance of police clearances, forearms, identification cards and police reports.
“I believe we will make it through this crisis and doing so gives more strength and confidence in who we are,” Suba stated in a written testimony submitted to the Legislature during the senators’ discussion of the proposed funding cut for GPD.
Other components of GPD’s cost-cutting mechanism include the restrictions on the use of “take home” vehicles, power conservation, maintenance of equipment and vehicles, abbreviated lunch and smoke breaks, and maximized use of manpower.
The governor’s revised budget proposes a 2.5 percent funding cut for all departments and agencies.
Suba told senators that although GPD has not been receiving the full funding allotted to it, the agency is willing to share the burden of the funding cut.
“The men and women of GPD are fully aware of our government’s financial crisis, the ever threatening bird flu pandemic, the possibility of a devastating man-made natural disaster, the upcoming TOP-OFF4 exercise, the military buildup and the obvious personnel shortages due to military deployments and the passing of several of out brothers in uniform, yet we remain ever loyal, diligent and able,” Suba said.