AT LEAST 400 newly-hired Volunteer Police Auxiliary (VPA) under the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) will take their oath Tuesday, July 17, at DCPO Grounds, Camp Captain Domingo E Leonor, Davao City.
DCPO spokesperson Ma. Teresita Gaspan said the city has hired another batch of police volunteers who passed the requirements set by DCPO: must be 21 to 45, of good moral character, no pending criminal case, at least 5' in height, physically and mentally fit, at least high school graduate and a resident in Davao City.
DCPO director Police Senior Superintendent Alexander Tagum earlier said the newly-hired will serve as force multipliers in peacekeeping efforts of the city.
They will be deployed to the 12 police stations to expand security coverage considering that police manpower is not enough to cover all areas. With the new VPAs, security personnel will be more visible to deter crimes.
This developed as part of the Oplan Integrated Revitalized Operation of Neighborhood-Watch for the Mega City (Iron City) launched last year. It is an upgraded integrated police patrol system aimed at making the city safer.
The city recruited a total 910 auxiliary cops in the first batch. In the past months, some have resigned in search for better jobs or were terminated. Thus, they hired a new set of VPAs.
The city had also given them additional quota after citing positive results of the program.
Tagum previously said there was a huge drop of index crimes in the city following the hiring of auxiliary cops last May 22, 2017. This program further enhances police visibility which is a major factor in deterring crimes.
The volunteers underwent training on self-defense, how to assist police in patrols, spotting suspicious packages and individuals, law enforcement and traffic management, among others for them to be equipped and ready once they will be deployed on the ground.
Every auxiliary officer will receive a monthly allowance along with other benefits provided by the local government.