By John A. Ananich II
To my esteemed brothers and sisters in law enforcement,
It is imperative that we, as protectors of the public trust, recognize and internalize the necessity for regular, rigorous physical and mental evaluations. Annual physical fitness assessments should be a non-negotiable standard, ensuring that every officer is equipped to execute the demanding responsibilities required of our profession. Moreover, mental health evaluations, while not always routine, should be conducted as needed—particularly following critical incidents or upon observation of concerning behavior.
This is not a mere suggestion, but a mandate for the betterment of our individual and collective safety, and that of the community we are sworn to protect.
Failure to implement these standardized requirements risks, not only, the efficacy of the department but the safety and well-being of every officer and citizen we serve.
The Guam Police Department operates under a paramilitary framework, and with that structure comes an inherent responsibility to maintain a culture of both physical and mental readiness. It is illogical and irresponsible to embrace the superficial aspects of this model—such as rank and hierarchy—while neglecting the fundamental discipline required to uphold our fitness and mental acuity. The allure of convenience may seem acceptable in the moment, but it will assuredly become a source of regret, with profound and far-reaching consequences.
Let me be clear—those officers who find themselves on profile due to circumstances beyond their control, such as injuries sustained in the line of duty or health conditions unrelated to personal neglect, are not the individuals to whom I am referring. My concern lies with those who, through a failure of self-discipline, have allowed themselves to deteriorate to the point of incapacity.
It is a dereliction of duty to permit oneself to become so unfit that a medical profile is required, not due to misfortune, but due to inaction. How can such neglect be justified as beneficial to oneself, one’s career, one’s fellow officers, or the community? It is a profound disservice to all.
Moreover, the expectation for physical fitness should not be new to any of us. It is my understanding that there is already a law or policy in place that mandates physical fitness standards for officers. If such a regulation exists—and I believe it does—then I must ask: who is responsible for ensuring that this requirement is enforced? And if it has not been consistently followed, then who allowed this standard to fall by the wayside?
Incompetence at any level must be identified and corrected. It is entirely possible that a fellow officer is responsible for the continued decline in these standards, and that, in itself, is a contributing factor to the broader erosion of our department’s effectiveness.
We must take a hard look at our house and put it back in order. The department, once a beacon of strength, appears to be inching toward a state of disrepair. This decline must be halted immediately before it leads to total collapse. Remember who you are and what you represent. We must restore pride and excellence to both the uniform and the institution that has long stood as a pillar of service to the people of Guam. This is not merely a suggestion—it is an imperative.
Perhaps some may argue that our department is already overstretched, with resources and personnel limited, and that adding more requirements—like annual physical and mental assessments—places undue stress on an already burdened workforce. To this, I ask: what could be more essential than the safety and preparedness of our officers? What higher priority exists than ensuring that those entrusted with public safety are fit for duty—both physically and mentally? It is precisely because of the pressures of the job that these assessments must be a priority. Failure to recognize this now will undoubtedly result in even greater strain on resources later, as unfit officers lead to more incidents, more injuries, and more liability to the department and community. To not enforce this requirement is an injustice to all my brothers and sisters in Blue.
Others may argue that the standards should be relaxed to account for the varying physical conditions of officers as they age or as circumstances change in their personal lives.
While I acknowledge that time and life events affect all of us, our duty to the public and to ourselves requires that we maintain a baseline level of fitness and readiness. Adjustments and accommodations can—and should—be made for legitimate medical conditions, but those must be the exception, not the rule. To allow fitness standards to erode for the sake of convenience or comfort does nothing but weaken the department as a whole.
Some may also contend that mental health evaluations might carry a stigma or lead to fear of reprisal for seeking help. This is a concern that must be addressed with sensitivity, but it is no justification for neglecting mental well-being. In fact, normalizing mental health evaluations is part of the solution. If we truly want to protect our officers, we must foster a culture where seeking support is seen as a strength, not a weakness. Ignoring mental health out of fear of stigma will only lead to deeper problems—both for the individual officers and the department as a whole.
Finally, to those who feel that this message targets them personally, that discomfort you feel is an opportunity for reflection and growth. If you find yourself in a position where your fitness—be it physical, mental, or professional—has declined, then I urge you to act now. Ignoring this call to accountability only places you and those around you at greater risk.
We are not only officers of the law; we are symbols of justice, strength, and resilience for our community. To maintain that symbolism, we must embody the very principles we are sworn to uphold. Let complacency in any form be the enemy of progress. We must strive for excellence in every aspect of our profession, and that begins with each of us taking responsibility for our own preparedness.
This is not merely about meeting a requirement or checking a box. It is about ensuring the longevity and credibility of the Guam Police Department. Let this serve as a call to action—a reminder that convenience cannot trump commitment, that mediocrity cannot replace excellence, and that the trust the community places in us must be earned and maintained through continual readiness.
If the uniform fits, wear it with honor—not only in appearance but in physical and mental capability. The standards of our profession are non-negotiable, and the community we serve deserves nothing less than our best.
Fix your house, restore it to order, and bring back the pride and excellence that should define both the individual and the department. This is essential—not only for our own sustainability, but for the future of the department and its service to the people of Guam.
This is a call to action. It is not optional, nor is it deferred to some distant future. We must rise to meet the demands of our duties, fully prepared, or we must step aside. Convenience has no place here; only commitment does.
Yours in service and in truth,
John A Ananich II
Former police officer
Always your brother in blue
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John A. Ananich II is a businessman, combat veteran, and former police officer. He is a resident of Dededo.
