MPD patrol cars get to GPS device

For the first time in the history of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the patrol cars of the Manila Police District will be equipped with a global positioning system or GPS device to enable the MPD to dispatch the patrol team nearest to the scene of a crime.

“As printed on the sides of every police mobile car of the MPD, we commit to respond within seven minutes or less,” MPD director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales said.

The MPD has started to equip 100 police mobile cars with the GPS device, which uses satellite navigation to pinpoint the exact location of a vehicle. The location is then sent via text messaging to the MPD’s equally high-tech District Tactical Operations Center, and the car’s location is then viewed on a digitalized map of the Philippines in the DTOC’s war room.

The installation of the GPS devices is just the start of the MPD’s modernization program, Rosales said. Aside from the GPS devices, all roving police personnel are now equipped with 150 new handheld radios for quick and easy communication.

The GPS also allows private individuals, business establishments, trucking services and private vehicles to use motion sensors, panic buttons and wireless monitoring linked to the MPD’s Operations Center.                 

The MPD’s GPS project will be officially launched on April 14 with PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr., National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Geary Barias and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim witnessing the event.   — Nestor Etolle