THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has recorded a 72 percent decrease in crime volume in the city from 2014 to 2019, making it the second safest city in Southeast Asia.
In his message during the turnover of command ceremony at DCPO parade grounds, outgoing DCPO director Police Colonel Alexander Tagum said that during his more than two years stint as DCPO chief, they reduced the crime incidents in the city.
"The crime volume significantly declined from 15,587 down to 4,429 or an equivalent of 72 percent decrease in crime volume compared to the crime volume in 2014 up to the present," Tagum said.
The index crime also went down by 81 percent and the non-index crime by 65 percent.
"Law enforcement units cannot fight crimes without the active support of the communities. With that, I incorporated values strategies in Oplan Iron City that promote community participation in the activation of police auxiliaries, integration of free medical service, intensification of community empowerment through the programs of Oplan Fortress and Oplan Kalinaw," Tagum said.
With the significant decrease in crime rate, several recognitions were given to DCPO and the city because of the improved security condition.
"The impact of the huge decrease of crime incidence became more evident when Davao City was declared as the safest city in the Philippines and the second safest city in Southeast Asia in 2019, second only to Chang Mai City, Thailand based on the Numbeo.com, which is the largest database for user-contributed data about cities and countries worldwide," Tagum said.
DCPO was also a recipient of recognition award for being the Best City Mobile Force Company and the Best City Police Office in the country. It was given during the 117th Police Service Anniversary last August 8, 2018, at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
"With this recognition, I am greatly humbled but gratified, as it appears that DCPO is on the right track in delivering a highly capable, effective, and reliable police service in the City of Davao. But then again, behind all these milestones are the individual hard work, commitment, contribution of all our partners, stakeholders, and members of the Davao City Community," Tagum said.
He has also expressed his gratitude to Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio for her continuous support to the Davao police force programs and projects.
As he leaves his post, he encouraged the personnel of DCPO to give the same support and commitment to new DCPO director, Police Colonel Kirby John Kraft.
"Continue to be a good police officer with credibility and integrity to your sworn duties and responsibilities as police officers of this country," he told DCPO personnel.