It’s back to basics for Caloocan police

The snappy salute, a time-honored tradition of rendering respect and courtesy for senior officers and other authorities, now rarely seen among the police, is back in earnest in the Caloocan City police force.

In a continuing bid to improve discipline and also to enhance the image of city cops, Senior Superintendent Benjardi Mantele, Caloocan City police chief, yesterday called for a "return to basics" among his men, particularly a re-reading of the police ethical doctrine.

In a memorandum order issued recently through Senior Inspector Carlito Dimalanta, station administration chief, Mantele ordered all local policemen in uniform to salute their senior officers and address them as "sir" or "madam."

Mantele said he wants his men to be courteous, not only to officers and fellow policemen, but to civilians as well, including children.

"Our image has taken quite a beating because of certain acts we have been ordered to do but did not, forgot or failed to do as self-respecting policemen," Mantele said.

He also assured the public that except for a token number of rotten apples in the local police force, there is no breakdown in discipline among the men under his leadership.

"Courtesy is nothing but an expression of consideration and respect for others. It’s just like showing your respect for an elder brother. With my long years in the service, didibdiban ko kung ako’y gaganun-ganunin lang. Kung ganyan ang gagawin sa iyo, ano ba ang mararamdaman ninyo?" Deputy Chief Superintendent Victor Carlos Ronquillo, with 33 years in the service, added.

"Kung wala nyan (the salute and the proper address), magpare-pare na lang tayo. Anong mangyayari sa disiplina natin?" Chief Inspector Daniel Mayoni, Sub-Station 3 (Bagong Silang) commander, discussing routine operations with the two top chiefs, pointed out.

"A PNP member shall conduct himself properly at all times... shall obey lawful orders and shall be courteous to superior officers and other appropriate authorities within the chain of command," Mantele said, citing the PNP Ethical Doctrine Manual.

Related to the police custom and courtesy, the salute, the officer said, must be "executed in a snappy manner upon meeting and recognizing persons entitled to it." Also a must is addressing seniors with the word "sir" or "madam," as the case may be.

Executive Order No. 292 and other pertinent civil service laws provide that discourtesy in the course of official duties is classified as a "light offense" with corresponding penalties. The first offense merits a reprimand, a second means a suspension for one to 30 days and the third could result in dismissal.