Top cops to get daily SMS tips, orders from Verzosa

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police will launch today a short messaging service (SMS) system that will enable police officials nationwide to receive daily management tips, operational instructions and even birthday greetings from the office of PNP chief Director General Jesus Versoza.

“The PNP chief has seen the potentials of the SMS system or texting in developing the leadership qualities of key leaders in the PNP,” said Verzosa aide Senior Superintendent Benigno Durana.

Durana said it was Verzosa who suggested the use of texting to daily inform municipal and city police chiefs as well as regional and provincial police officials of PNP policies as well as condensed “words of wisdom” from management gurus.

Dubbed the “Lead PNP SMS Project,” the system will make use of the present OCPNP (Office of the Chief PNP) SMS Center used by the office of the PNP chief to receive feedback and complaints from the public. As such, the new system will entail no additional cost to the PNP, Durana said.

“The Lead PNP SMS Project will provide the PNP chief with a popular advocacy and technological tool to lead leaders at all levels. It is hoped to complement if not tie some loose ends left by the normal communication infrastructure,” Durana said.

“It has been shown that an informed leader is an empowered leader. As such, efforts should be made to provide key leaders with essential information, guidance and direction that will help them connect their operational activities with the strategic goals of the PNP,” he added.

According to Durana, what Verzosa initially wanted was just to make use of the OCPNP SMS Center not only to receive complaints from the public but also to send birthday greetings to police officers nationwide.

“Our people will not care to know unless they know how much we care. A simple SMS birthday greetings from the PNP chief will spell a lot of difference to the morale of his leaders. The small gesture will let them know that the institution truly cares,” Durana said.

However, Verzosa later realized that the SMS system can also be used to develop the leadership skills of police officials at the management level.

“Developing effective leaders and managers at all levels remains a continuing challenge for the PNP. While several interventions have so far been taken, much has yet to be made to ensure that things are getting done at the police station level,” Durana said.