Lack of funds worries DPS on creation of civilian volunteer unit

Public Safety Commissioner Charles W. Ingram Jr. is seeking an overhaul of a proposed measure which seeks to establish a Civilian Volunteer Police on the island.

In a letter to Rep. Dino M. Jones, chair of the Judiciary and Government Operations Committee, Mr. Ingram said the program under HB 12-197 should instead be called Police Reserve Program as he requested that legislation which attempts to control the administration of the program be scrapped.

While the intent of having a reserve police officer program is commendable, Mr. Ingram said such effort is not feasible at this time due to lack of necessary funds. The cost of training and equipment meant for a Reserve Unit would be better used for either pay raises for the Department of Public Safety or increase in hazard pay.

Members of the reserve force must undergo the same training as regular police officers. Since training cost will be about $6,000 per person, a minimum class of 15 cadets would reach $90,000.

Equipment for each police officer is about $5,000, thus, 15 cadets after graduation would need $75,000.

Even if the reserves are not paid when they are on official duty, they are still employees of the government and as such, the administration incurs liability in case anything happens to the reservist.

Mr. Ingram said the police reserve must be covered by worker’s compensation, government health insurance or at least a medical coverage for any illness or injury suffered while on duty. A reservist must be represented by government counsel for any situations that may arise from his duties, he added.

In Hawaii, the Honolulu Police Department with approximately 1,500 sworn officers has a reserve component with a strength equivalent to 10 percent of the regular police officers.

Both the Guam Police Department and the Honolulu Police Department have had reserve officers killed in line of duty. As a result of constant threat in his life, the reserve officer must be armed all the time since there are times he may be required to immediately go to the scene of the crime from his home.

Reservists should work a minimum of eight hours a week to keep themselves proficient.
Most of all, before the reservists can put his badge on, gun and takes the oath of duty, he must have completed the same course requirement as the regular officers.

Mr. Ingram said he also supports the creation of a National Guard Unit for the Commonwealth under the command and control of the governor.
He also recommended a proposed legislation which will establish a Civil Defense Unit under the Emergency Management Office.