Police stations, precincts to undergo needed ‘facelift’

A number of police stations and police precincts in the capital region will have the much-needed facelift as part of the effort of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to bring the police closer to the community, according to Metro Manila Police chief Director Geary Barias. Barias said they are in the process of identifying which among the police stations and police precincts need repainting. There are almost 200 police stations and police precincts in Metro Manila.

Barias said that the NCRPO does not have to shell out money to cover the expenses of these “facelift” operations, which would be very minimal. “Dito papasok ang pagtutulungan ng police, local government units at mga barangay. Hindi na kailangan bumayad ng gagawa, hihingi tayo ng tulong sa community,” said Barias.

The NCRPO chief said facelift of police offices will give the public the impression that they are welcome to lodge their complaints and other concerns on peace and order situation in the community.

Earlier, PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. has issued guidelines to all the police commanders to ensure that all police stations are clean as part of his administration’s program to move the PNP forward so that “we can truly serve and protect the community.”

In a PNP commander’s manual prepared by Razon, the PNP chief said there must be uniform effort in “putting up of uniform, standardized and lighted panaflex “PULIS” signages nationwide in all police headquarters, offices, and stations and precincts for easy identification and location by the citizens.” The commander’s manual also noted that offices must be clean and citizen-friendly and commanders shall ensure that bathrooms and toilets are not only clean but also smell clean. Pornographic materials, pin-ups or calendar shall be removed. The manual also stated there must be a change in attitude on how the PNP personnel relate with the citizenry.

“In dealing with the citizenry, some of our policemen are perceived to be tamad (lazy), abusado (abusive), bastos (rude) and ayaw pa disiplina (refused to be disciplined). Often times, these policemen’s appearance, body language and even manner of speaking project an overbearing, aloof, and apathetic character. These traits are looked at as being brusko,” stated the commander’s manual.

Razon’s manual distributed to commanders said “there is a need to inculcate in our policemen that they should change the manner they deal with and handle the citizenry. “We should exert more efforts to be more citizen-friendly, courteous, provide prompt actions that is responsive to the request, deliver results expected and set the example of what a true protector and servant of the community is for all to emulate,” Razon’s manual noted.