Better training and more extensive education - that's what two former chiefs of police say is necessary in order to avoid incidents like last Friday's that took the life of a Dededo man at the hand of a police officer.  Adolph Sgambelluri and Senator Judith Guthertz, both formerly Guam's top cops, shared their thoughts on a matter that has shocked and angered the entire island community.

"When the shooting occurred it happened on a Friday night and I said, 'Oh my god, another one'", said Sgambelluri, the former chief of police and retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel.  "To preserve life and to protect" are two things former he says every officer should put first and foremost while on the job.  In about a year under the watch of current chief of the Guam Police Department Paul Suba, officers have been involved twice in fatal shootings. The latest, of course being that of Mental Health patient Darson Rekemesik in Dededo.

Sgambelluri notes one thing that has changed since his time leading the men in blue is the type of education they receive before heading out into the field.  "I know one thing that's changed, and I'm really sorry to see it change was that the Department took away the training of police officers from the Guam Community College," Sgambelluri shared.

"When the shooting occurred it happened on a Friday night and I said, 'Oh my god, another one'" - Adolph Sgambelluri

Senator Guthertz, too, would like to see a review of curriculum currently being offered at the Police Academy to determine if it is indeed adequate.  "I don't have all the facts with respect to what exactly happened," she noted, "But I would hope there would have been a different way; but you never know if you're an officer and you're facing a threat or think you're at threat you may act to defend yourself. I would hope though there would be a different way."

Besides perhaps upgrading officer education and training, Sgambelluri says officers pulling the trigger on Rekemesik never should have been an option.  He cites the court decision Tennessee v. Garner, which states "Deadly force may not be used unless to prevent the escape and the officer has probable cause to believe threat the suspect poses a significant threat of death."

"We know that this victim was inside his house. We also know that there was a 360-degree fence," Sgambelluri continued.  "Now the officers have been informed there was a mental patient in there. Why did they have to break-in?  Why can't they wait for somebody who really has the expertise to calm this guy down?"

So with two fatal incidents at the hand of those of who Sgambelluri says are meant to protect and preserve life, he has a few words for the current chief to hear: "I will say Paul, my friend, because he used to work for me, that leadership is not changing from a blue to black uniform."

KUAM News attempted to receive reaction from Chief Suba today on comments made by Sgambelluri and Senator Guthertz. We were told however by GPD's spokesman that until the investigation into last Friday's fatal shooting is completed, no further comments will be made to the media.

KUAM also confirmed Wednesday evening that the entire shift of officers, including their supervisor that responded to the shooting - 5 in all - have been placed on administrative leave, as per department protocol.

Tags: adolph sgambelluri, darson rekemesik, death, GPD, judi guthertz, paul suba, police, shooting