ALL police units under the Western Visayas regional police office have started implementing an innovative duty shift scheme aimed at bringing down the crime rates in the region.

The new duty shift was introduced by regional police chief Isagani Cuevas who advocates the 7-9-7 duty shift scheme of police personnel to ensure enough number of cops to man the police station and render police assistance.

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The new scheme will practically erase the long time police practice of a “one-day duty, two-day off” duty shift and other duty shift schemes similar to it.

Cuevas said that under the 7-9-7 duty scheme, personnel in a police station are divided into three teams. Team A reports to duty from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Team B reports from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Team C reports from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. They will be rotated every week.

Each personnel shall have one day off weekly.

Cuevas credited the new duty scheme for the foiled bank heist in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental and the solving of several robbery incidents in the province of Iloilo.

Cuevas said the Regional Headquarters regularly conduct surprise inspection at all police units and stations in the region to ensure that 7-9-7 duty shift scheme is being adhered to. (Lydia C. Pendon)