Police vehicles are parked at the Department of Public Safety headquarters in Susupe.
THE Department of Public Safety is requesting increased funding for fiscal year 2026 “to face real and growing challenges.”
DPS has submitted a budget request totaling over $9.7 million for FY 2026, while Gov. Arnold I. Palacios has proposed $6.3 million for DPS. The department’s current fiscal year budget is $6.2 million.
Chaired by Rep. John Paul Sablan, the House and Ways Committee allowed DPS Commissioner Anthony Macaranas to explain the department’s needs during Monday’s budget hearing.
Macaranas strongly urged the committee to invest in the public safety of the local community. “Every item in this budget request,” he said, “directly supports safer streets, faster emergency response, stronger investigations, and better outcomes for victims and families.”
“It’s not just about operational needs,” the DPS chief added. “It’s about the lives that depend on their services every day — a child going to school, a small business owner opening shops, a family enjoying a weekend and evening in peace.”
“When public safety fails, the entire community feels it. But when it is strong and well-supported, it becomes the bedrock of everything else we build,” Macaranas said.
He acknowledged that government financial resources are limited and that the Legislature faces difficult choices. “But I ask you today to consider this: There is no investment more important than the public safety of our community,” he said, adding that his department stands ready to work, serve with integrity, and be held accountable.
“We cannot succeed without your support. Your investment in our department is an investment in every neighborhood, every village, every home across the islands,” he said.
Joining Macaranas at the hearing were DPS Director for Administration Kaye Inos, Human Resource Specialist Esther Delos Reyes, and the governor’s Special Assistant for Management and Budget Vicky Villagomez.
Macaranas told the committee that “our department faces real and growing challenges. Our responsibilities continue to expand, yet our resources remain limited. As the needs of our community evolve, so must our capacity to respond. This is why we are seeking increased funding across several key operational areas.”
He said the DPS budget request includes funding for basic operations such as utilities, repairs, and ongoing maintenance of facilities and vehicles — all described as “foundational needs.” He said patrol vehicles “are aging, unreliable, and increasingly expensive to maintain.”
The department is also seeking funding to hire new officers because current staffing levels “are insufficient for the demand we face.” With officers working long hours covering multiple roles, he said, the workload is unsustainable in the long term. “This not only affects morale and performance, but indirectly impacts public safety outcomes.”
Macaranas emphasized the need for ongoing specialized training in areas such as crisis response, victim-centered investigation, use of force, de-escalation techniques, and ethical policy. “Professional development must be a continuous process, not a one-time event, if we are to meet the standards the community deserves,” he said.
In addition, DPS officers require proper equipment to do their jobs safely and effectively. He requested funding for uniforms, protective gear, service firearms, and modern radios. “These are not extras — they are basic essential tools.”
“Inadequate equipment reduces operational effectiveness and increases risk for both our officers and the public,” Macaranas explained. “Our radios are outdated and unreliable, which is a serious issue during emergency response. We need dependable, island-wide communication to coordinate actions and save lives.”
Macaranas also asked for funding to cover overtime pay for police officers. Due to staffing shortages and the 24/7 nature of public safety work, overtime is often the only way to ensure full coverage, especially during weekends, holidays, natural disasters, and large-scale investigations. “This funding is critical to sustaining round-the-clock protection and avoiding burnout within the department,” he said.
Finally, he requested funds to cover legal expenses, noting that law enforcement agencies now face a more complex legal landscape. “Whether defending the department in court, addressing personnel-related claims, or ensuring compliance with evolving legal mandates, we need adequate legal resources to protect the department and the Commonwealth. Without proper legal representation, we expose ourselves to greater liability, delays in justice, and erosion of public trust,” Macaranas said.
