Cops to get back whistles, nightsticks, handcuffs

Starting tomorrow, beat patrol cops will be armed once more with whistles, nightsticks and handcuffs, aside from their service pistols.

These police paraphernalia used to be part of the uniform of every patrol cop on the street, but had been set aside for unknown reasons. Most patrol cops are now without any of these police gadgets, exept for a handful of traffic policemen.

Manila Police District (MPD) acting director Senior Superintendent Danilo Abarzosa yesterday ordered the distribution of the three "vital police gadgets" as part of his program to reform the MPD, after getting the support of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

"It’s now time to re-arm our policemen with whistles, nightsticks and handcuffs, which are vital gadgets in their work. Actually, these paraphernalia form part of the standard police uniform, but lately most beat policemen do not carry them anymore," Abarzosa said.

The MPD chief noted the missing gadgets when he conducted a surprise roll call formation last Friday at the Plaza Miranda in Quiapo and the University Belt along C.M. Recto Avenue.

Aside from improper wearing of uniform, Abarzosa noted that the beat policemen do not have whistles, nightsticks and handcuffs, which a patrolling policeman should possess to effectively maintain peace and order.

Abarzosa explained that the whistle is used to warn or alert other police operatives, the nightstick serves as a self-defense gadget and the handcuffs are for immobilizing arrested suspects.

During the flag-raising ceremony tomorrow at the MPD headquarters, Abarzosa will distribute whistles, nightsticks and handcuffs to at least 100 beat patrol cops to jumpstart the issuance of the same gadgets to 11 police stations in Manila.

He will also give away notebooks and ballpens to beat patrol cops for their daily situationer report.

Administrative sanction will be imposed on cops found without any of these three gadgets, according to Abarzosa.

He added that he will not regret weeding out misfits at the MPD since "there are many willing applicants for police now."

Meanwhile, Atienza reminded traffic police officers headed by Superintendent Roberto dela Rosa not to abuse their authority by committing various forms of corruption. There are several complaints of mulcting and extortion from motorists against traffic policemen.

"These police officers should always be out in the streets managing traffic, not just standing in a shaded corner waiting for motorists to commit traffic violation," Atienza noted.