Tuesday, March 04, 2008 Bike patrol created By Abigail C. Malalis
THE Cagayan de Oro Police Office (Cocpo) has recently obtained motorcycle and bicycle units to be used in making law enforcement more visible in the city.
"They (policemen) and their bikes are commandeered into providing the extra police visibility needed in several crime prone areas in the city," said City Police Director Isagani Genabe.
He added that the motorcycle cops will also perform multitasking jobs, as they will respond to the needs of nearby areas (assistance) other than the areas assigned to them.
Genabe presented the newly organized unit to Mayor Constantino Jaraula who promised that the City Government would provide five motorcycles, 10 bicycles, and 10 computers to the police department.
Most of the motorcycle cops are already assigned to the Road and Traffic Administration. The bicycle cops, on the other hand, is a revival of the bicycle unit organized by former City police director Cesar Ouano in the late 90s.
Senior Inspector Salvador Radam, CCPO administrative officer, said the police department would shoulder the gasoline expenses of the motorcycles as a form of subsidy to the owners.
He said eight motorcycle cops would be assigned in Divisoria and Cogon public market.
"Pero kulang pa lang ta sa unit. Gani, dili gyud gikan sa Cocpo ang motorcycles nga gigamit karon. Ila pa kana sa mga na-assign isip mga motorcycle cops (The unit is undermanned. We do not own the motorcycles)," Radam said.
"Actually, naa nay 30 personnel nga naka-reserve na para mahimong mga motorcycle cops, those who are healthy and fit gyud nga maka-agwanta sa init, ulan ug makalakag pa gyud sa mga kriminal," he added.
