Shape up or ship out, Echiverri tells Caloocan cops

Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri yesterday ordered city police officials to shape up or ship out.

During a courtesy call of officials of the Caloocan City police led by Superintendent Rey Castro, acting city police chief, to the newly elected mayor at the city hall, Echiverri minced no words and urged city cops not only to carry themselves well as officers and gentlemen but to keep their offices clean and presentable to the public.

"I want the police to look neat and snappy. No slouching," Echiverri said. The mayor also told the officers to smile a lot and emphasized that wrongdoing will not be tolerated.

"I know the law. I know how to hold a hammer. I know where to hit the nail," Echiverri said, reiterating his earlier warning to city hall employees.

Echiverri disclosed that during his random visits to police stations shortly after assuming office, some city cops appeared shabby, demoralized, even grouchy while at work. He also noted that most police stations seemed not to have been scrubbed in a long while.

"Clean up and make your offices and premises presentable, preferably simple. I don’t even expect my name (or picture) to appear there (office)," Echiverri said.

The mayor announced, however, that it would not be long before the policemen’s monthly allowances, reportedly taken away by the previous administration, will be released.

With the city coffers allegedly nearly empty, Echiverri gave the assurance that he will find a way to find a budget for the allowances.

Inspector Joven de la Piedra, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team head, told the mayor his unit had only one rundown "back-to-back" quick-response vehicle.

Echiverri promised to find a solution to the SWAT’s less-than-ideal mobility. He added that something will also be immediately done with regards to the police’s need for reliable communications equipment.

Station Investigation chief Inspector Romeo Onte also complained that officers sometimes have to shoulder expenses for the medical services needed by offenders of the law at local hospitals.

Echiverri then ordered that a memorandum of agreement (MOA) be immediately be forged between the police and local hospitals, particularly the new Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Medical Center, so the police can avail of free services. He also announced the purchase of a reloader for the firing range so there will be enough ammunition available to policemen during target practice.