HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — A couple who said they were victims of police brutality at the Dededo precinct are looking for more answers regarding an internal investigation conducted by the Guam Police Department.
While Tuesday’s discussions at the Northern Community Caucus held at the Yigo Senior Center mostly consisted of residents expressing concerns over issues related to Simon Sanchez High School, Veronica and John Patao used the public forum to seek answers regarding their experiences at GPD’s Dededo precinct on Aug. 31, 2023.
The Pataos previously told The Guam Daily Post that their experience began after they were following up with an assault complaint they filed against a person known to them.
However, it turned into Veronica Patao allegedly having a table pushed up against her chest by a police officer before she hit her head on the ground and had a seizure. Veronica Patao recounted how the officer in question and possibly others were yelling profanities at her and saying she was “faking” the seizure.
In the meantime, her husband, John Patao, was kept in a separate holding cell for about nine hours while Veronica Patao was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Veronica Patao and John Patao, who both have several medical ailments, were arrested, and Veronica Patao was booked and confined before ultimately being released.
Investigation
Following the report, GPD launched an internal affairs investigation into the incident, which was confirmed by GPD Chief Stephen Ignacio to have been completed last month. Ignacio said that since it is a personnel matter, no further comments could be made.
During the Tuesday night caucus, Veronica Patao shared her story again. She said she came with the goal of being a voice for others who have been victims of police brutality, and she said that since her experience, several people have come to her and shared their stories.
“I want to be a voice for those who have suffered and cowered in silence over the years (and) are not brave enough … to stand up. I’m not going away with this,” Veronica Patao said, adding she believes there are many “phenomenal police officers” but a “few bad apples.”
Veronica Patao said she wanted good to come out of her experience, especially in obtaining more information about internal investigations into police brutality.
“I want good to come out of what happened to me and my husband because there is an internal affairs, justifiably so for a purpose … but what about allegations of such police brutality? Where do they go? The police are policing themselves. … They investigate themselves,” Veronica Patao said as she asked for Sen. Chris Barnett, the public safety chair of the 37th Guam Legislature, to assist her.
Veronica Patao further expanded on her comments made at the caucus to The Guam Daily Post on Thursday.
“What I want to come out of this is for potential possibility of forming a committee … an unbiased committee, comprised of citizens that will sit in this committee and also where other people who have become victims or have been victims … come forward, go to this committee and make their report without fear of retribution, without fear of being harassed,” Veronica Patao told the Post.
Veronica Patao also indicated that “countless efforts” have been made to contact GPD about the status of the internal affairs investigation, but she has not received any answers.
“Transparency and accountability has not been their forte right now,” Veronica Patao added.
Oversight
Following Veronica Patao’s testimony, Barnett highlighted efforts to “increase accountability and transparency with law enforcement” have been made as Public Law 37-57 allows police officers to wear body-worn cameras. Additionally, Sen. Telo Taitague, who was on the Tuesday evening panel, introduced Bill 188-37, which, if passed, would authorize audiovisual equipment to be used during interviews conducted by GPD personnel.
Barnett also agreed with the Pataos that there have been too many complaints filed against police officers.
“Of course, I hear you, and if you’re following the news, which I’m sure you are, there have been many news stories, too many for my taste, about complaints relative to officer misconduct,” said Barnett, who confirmed he will be holding an oversight hearing for GPD later this month.
Barnett read the agenda to the Pataos and confirmed some items will consist of asking GPD about complaints against officers, the number of complaints received, investigations closed and procedure for complaint protocol for officers.
“I intend to ask a lot of questions on the subjects you brought up in your testimony and the Chief (Ignacio) is committed that the hearing will be as transparent as possible,” Barnett said.
