PNP deputy chief gets PMA alumni award

Deputy Director General Jesus Verzosa, the No. 2 man in the Philippine National Police (PNP), is this year’s awardee of the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association’s (PMAAA) 2008 Cavalier Award for Command and Administration for his outstanding achievements, professionalism, exemplary leadership and dedication to public service.”

The Cavalier Award is given every February to deserving alumni of the Philippine Military Academy who excelled in the various fields of police or military service during its Foundation Day celebrations.

The PMA will be holding its Foundation Day on Feb. 16 at the hallowed campus grounds in Baguio City.

Verzosa, a member of PMA “Magilas” Class ’76, is the current PNP Deputy Chief for Administration (DCA), the second in command in the 120,000-strong national police force.

“I take this as a personal challenge to continue what we have started in the PNP as it strive to improve and become a truly credible, efficient and world-class police force,” said Verzosa.

“I am deeply honored and at the same time humbled by the gesture of my fellow Cavaliers in giving due recognition to my efforts at organizational reforms and my accomplishments in the area of command and administration,” Verzosa added.

Verzosa, known as the PNP reform manager, being the executive director of its Program Management Office, is the force behind the implementation of the many reform projects being initiated under the PNP Integrated Transformation Program (ITP).

In implementing the ITP, Verzosa pointed out that the PNP leadership is aware that there is really a need to transform the police force as it faces challenges and problems that have greatly reduced their capability to shoot, move, communicate and investigate.

While PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. is considered the “Reform Champion” for his determination to reform the PNP into a world-class police force, Verzosa is considered the “Reform Manager.” Verzosa is being groomed as Razon’s successor.

Verzosa served as the deputy director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (2002); director of the PNP Aviation Security Group (2003); director of the PNP Intelligence Group (2004); regional director of the Cordillera Autonomous Region (2004); regional director of the CALABARZON Region (2005); director of the Criminal Intelligence and Detection Group (2006) and the Chief Directorial Staff, PNP (2007).

This year’s Cavalier Award is the second one for Verzosa.

Verzosa has won the first one in 1995, when the PMAAA honored him with the Cavalier Award for Police Operations.

Under the category of Command and Administration for which PDDG Verzosa is being recognized, the award is open to all alumni of the PMA with a rank of brigadier general (AFP) or chief superintendents (PNP) and up, who, for the last five years have shown “outstanding achievements, professionalism, exemplary leadership and dedication to public service,” all of which have helped improve the institution he represents as well as promote the ideals of his alma mater, the PMA.