Less cops in HQ, more in stations

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Police Office Director Senior Supt. Noli Romana said he is now studying if he can reduce his personnel at the headquarters and assign more of them to police stations that need policemen.

“We will do some accounting of personnel and detail some to other stations,” Romana said after he reviewed operational readiness and plans to deploy some policemen in strategic areas during his first command conference yesterday morning.

Some policemen assigned to administrative functions are among of those who are included in the plan.

Romana just assumed office last Friday after a turnover ceremony at the CCPO grounds. He replaced Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el Jr. who served CCPO for less than a year.

Romana said the police stations of Waterfront, Carbon and San Nicolas are to be given priority because of their strategic locations.

“We have to enhance the capability of each police station and check the crimes usually happening in their area,” he said.

The additional deployment of personnel, however, will depend on the crime volume in each station. Romana will also check the mission functions and accomplishments with mandate.

“The task is huge, we have a few personnel and the demand is high,” he said.

Still, Romana will pursue his objective, Pulis sa Barangay, in which police in each station will do a house-to-house visit to check and solve problems in barangay level.

He, however, assured to continue the Police Integrated Patrol System which was crafted by Police Regional Office-7 Director, Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino and his predecessor, Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo Jr.

Romana said they will continue the campaign against illegal gambling and illegal drugs, although he does not require any quota of operation there will be some evaluation of the performance of each police station

“Just don’t stop doing the right thing as good will be rewarded appropriately and those who will not will be facing administrative liability,” Romana said.  (FREEMAN)