Monday, May 05, 2008 No TV viewing in police stations: PNP
TO make sure desk officers in police stations concentrate on their work, the Philippine National Police has banned the viewing of television in police stations.
Online reports quoted PNP Chief Avelino Razon Jr. warning of administrative sanctions against officers caught watching TV programs while on duty.
He said, however, that it was okay for them watch news programs to update themselves on the country’s situation, especially on peace and order.
The local police here, however, have yet to get clear instructions from Camp Crame to find out if there are any exceptions to the rule.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Ronald Roderos said they will implement this as soon as written directives stating the rules arrive from the central office.
He said, however, that the general guidelines are for desk officers not to be watching television while on duty.
Multi-tasking
“The desk officer receives the complaints. In some cases, he also serves as the jail officer, the building guard, the reception clerk and the radio operator.
He answers calls on the landline and cellular phone. Watching TV is distracting for a desk officer,” Roderos explained.
He said, however, that they still need to clarify if the directive meant no television at all or if there are exceptions.
He said that a television keeps bored clients entertained.
Roderos said there are civilians who wait for their police clearances to be released, or while witnesses wait for their turn to talk to case investigators to give their official statements.
He also said they would also have to study the layout of a police station because there are some stations that barely have space for TV viewing while others have big spaces and more rooms.
He suggested that the TV sets could be placed away from where the desk officer stays.
He also said that some police officers only watch television to tune in to news reports to update themselves on current events.
“But, they are not supposed to watch telenovelas while on duty,” Roderos said. (MEA)
