Cop suspended for lighting up

A rookie Makati City policeman became the first casualty of the renewed campaign against smoking for on-duty law enforcers after he was given a five-day suspension for lighting a cigarette while inside a police vehicle.

Senior Superintendent Jovito Gutierrez Jr., Makati City police chief, said he ordered the suspension of one his men with the rank of Police Officer 1.

"I chanced upon him last week, he was even covering his head and I ordered for that he be suspended for five days. This should serve as a wake-up call for policemen that I will not tolerate this practice. When they are on duty and in uniform they should not smoke in public," Gutierrez said.

He said the incident would hopefully serve as a lesson to the other 541 members of his police station.

In an another development, the Makati police department has been adjudged as the "Best Police Station for 2003" from among seven stations of the Southern Police District. The SPD is composed of Makati, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Taguig and Pateros.

In a report to Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Gutierrez said the award was given by SPD director Chief Superintendent Prospero Noble during the 13th SPD anniversary celebration held recently.

Gutierrez said the latest award was even sweeter as they reaped three more significant awards.

Chief Inspector Westrimundo Obinque was named Best Junior Police Commissioned Officer; SPO1 Ricardo Reyes, Best Senior Police Non-Commissioned Officer; and NUP Elma Flores, Best Non-Uniformed Personnel.– Evelyn Macairan