Friday, January 04, 2008 CCPO to improve police stations
CEBU City Police Office (CCPO) Director Patrocinio Comendador pledged to act on the observations raised by Vice Mayor Michael Rama about the “pathetic and embarrassing” state of the police stations.
“We’re taking his observations positively,” Comendador said in a press conference yesterday.
Comendador said the “dilapidated” offices and “defective” furniture and fixtures are administrative concerns that require long-term planning and funding from the higher office.
As to the stench in some police stations, Comendador said, that can be resolved immediately.
Keeping the precincts clean will be among the topics in the command conference early next week, which will be attended by all the station commanders and special unit chiefs.
A directive will also be issued about this matter, he added.
Inspection
Comendador will also pursue his plan for an inter-CCPO general inspection, similar to the annual general inspection by Camp Crame, to make sure that operational readiness, cleanliness and other aspects are maintained.
As to the policemen who were caught drinking or sleeping on the job, Comendador said investigations are being conducted. If found guilty, they could be held liable for simple neglect of duty.
Comendador said there was a policeman at the Waterfront Police Station who reported for duty reeking of liquor, while a member of the miscellaneous team at the Taboan Police Station was caught sleeping. The two policemen are facing investigations.
Comendador said that like Rama, who chairs the Police Coordinating Advisory Council (PCAC), he also conducted surprise inspections on New Year’s Eve.
Unkempt
He admitted noticing some police stations were unkempt, particularly the Punta Princesa Police Station.
The unpleasant smell coming from the common urinal outside the Taboan Police Station and the garbage outside the Carbon Police Station also caught Comendador’s attention.
Comendador, however, said that the inspection he conducted was more on the operational readiness of each police station. (JST)
