Wednesday, August 08, 2007 Napolcom requires proper uniform for cops at checkpoints
NATIONAL Police Commission (Napolcom) 7 Director Bernardo Calibo directed the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) to require all policemen to wear the proper police uniform when conducting checkpoints.
Calibo issued an order to Acting CCPO Director Patrocinio Commendador for the latter to strictly enforce the policy on the wearing of uniforms.
He also urged those who may have fallen victims to “abusive” policemen during a checkpoint to file complaints with his office.
In his order dated Aug. 2, Calibo reminded Comendador that Section 2, Rule 20 of the PNP Operational Procedures states that “enforcement officers manning the checkpoints shall be in proper uniform at all times with their identification cards and nameplates on.”
Failure to comply with the rules is considered a serious irregularity in the performance of duty under Napolcom Memorandum Circular no. 2007-001, Calibo said in the order.
Calibo’s order to Comendador was coursed through the office of Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Silverio Alarcio Jr.
In an interview with reporters yesterday, he said that as a rule, policemen who conduct checkpoints should wear their complete general office attire (GOA).
They may wear “quasi-uniform” like the blue polo shirt with markings on their back identifying the office where they belong. But Calibo said they should also wear their identification cards so that civilians who will be stopped at checkpoints will be able to identify the police officers.
Reminder
Calibo also reminded the CCPO that barangay tanods and members of the barangay intelligence networks (BIN) and other volunteer groups can help in checkpoint operations but a police official should supervise them.
The Napolcom director issued the order after hearing complaints from the public and some radio commentaries on policemen who are not in their proper uniform or do not wear their identification cards and nameplates when conducting checkpoints in the city.
Earlier, Alarcio issued the same order following complaints received by the regional office through text messages, e-mails, letters and telephone calls.
Some callers complained against police officers who could not be identified because they were dressed in civilian clothes.
Some also complained that BIN members, barangay tanods and civilian volunteers are more “aggressive” in conducting the searches. There were also claims of lost items after the search. (JST)
