Thursday, January 03, 2008 Police stations 'pathetic and embarrassing'
CEBU City police station chiefs face a big challenge to improve their offices after Acting Mayor Michael Rama saw the “pathetic and embarrassing” state of the city’s 11 police stations.
Shabby offices, policemen who were either asleep or drinking while on duty, defective furniture and fixtures, and the stench in the stations are all causes for embarrassment, Rama said.
“If that’s the situation in the Philippine National Police (PNP) offices and the peace and order is in their hands, how can they give efficient and pleasant service with the unpleasant situation within their own working environment? This is a great challenge for all of us,” Rama told reporters yesterday.
In conducting a surprise visit to the stations last New Year’s Eve, Rama saw for himself the unkempt police stations. He also saw some desk officers who were sleeping while others were in a drinking binge with some women even while on duty.
He said police stations looked dark and dirty and reeked of urine, with furniture and lighting fixtures in a state of disrepair.
“It was pathetic. Their office was very dirty you wouldn’t think it’s a police station. It looked like an abandoned cemetery,” Rama said.
He said that when Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador assumed his post as Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) chief six months ago, he already told all station chiefs to observe proper housekeeping. Rama said he did not see this during his visits.
“I keep telling them about it but nothing happened, bungol tingali sila (maybe they’re deaf). If that is the case, then maybe I should try learning sign language. But this does not concern the policemen only, I wish the city councilors will also visit the stations they’re assigned to,” said Rama.
Sleeping
While the Pardo Police Station looked like a stockroom, the Fuente Police Station resembled an eatery because of the office layout, he said.
If it weren’t for the signboard, the San Nicolas Police Station could be mistaken for a general merchandise store because of its location within the Taboan public market, he added.
The desk officers in at least two police stations were also caught sleeping.
“The policeman was lying on a table sleeping while on duty. He was startled when he saw me and even dropped his mobile phone. I will not name them because I don’t want to run after them. I just want to bring it to (Senior Supt.) Comendador’s attention,” Rama said. (LCR)
