HANDS-ON management, adherence to the Philippine National Police (PNP) vision and mission and faith in God -- these are the guiding principles that San Pedro Police Station chief Joel Consulta are taking into consideration as he keeps peace and order within the heart of Davao City.
Since his appointment as chief of San Pedro police last July 18, he has displayed these values in safeguarding Dabawenyos in his area-of-responsibility (AOR).
Consulta, in an interview with Sun.Star Davao, said: "Importante talaga na hands-on ako sa lahat ng aspects dahil mabilis akong makakakuha ng information na makakatulong sa aking decision-making. Mapapadali din natin ang pag-provide ng solutions."
He is also dedicated to the PNP vision and mission which is to provide excellent police service to attain a safer community.
"I am currently following a roadmap which requires me to utilize the available source on the ground. This roadmap allows me to set the standards for effective policing as well that is why I should be a good example to my men. We are also conducting various police community relations programs to intensify our ties with the different stake holders from the private and public sectors," Consulta said.
He added that as he and fellow police officers continue to follow this roadmap, a safer community will be attained in due time.
Consulta also believes that providing excellent police service wouldn't be complete without faith in God.
"It is very important that we put God in the center of what we do so that we will be guided in terms of morality. So if we have a good grasp of our morality, we will be disciplined and it will be a good start in giving service to the public," Consulta said.
The strategies and values that Consulta applied, however, could be attributed to his 22-year police experience.
Consulta, a native of Ligao, Albay province, initially didn't plan to become a police officer. He acquired a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture at Bicol University. He then had a stint at the National Power Corporation after he graduated.
But he then had a realization that law enforcement is in his blood as his father served in the now defunct Philippine Constabulary. He then attended the PNP Academy (PNPA) and graduated as part of class 1991.
Consulta admitted that after he graduated from the PNPA he was faced with one of the most extreme challenges in the early stage of his career as he was immediately assigned as chief of two police stations in Lianga and San Agustin in Surigao del Sur from 1991 to 1995.
Back then, Surigao del Sur was plagued by communist rebel insurgency thus, it was one of his toughest assignments.
He had to take a break from police service from 1995 to 1996 as he had to take additional police course. He resumed his service in 1997 where he was assigned at the Crime Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Caraga Region. For the next 10 years, he was assigned at CIDG in Davao Region where he was able to mold his investigative skills. Between those years, he took some breaks to take up further studies and additional police course.
In 2002, he took up an officer's advance course for two years. He was granted a scholarship at the University of New Castle in Australia where he earned his Master's Degree in Social Change and Development. Consulta shared that he had to work as a part-time janitor in Australia so he could earn some income after his classes.
From 2008 to 2011, Consulta was appointed as chief of two units in Compostela Valley: Nabunturan police and Compostela Valley Provincial Public Safety Company, before moving in to Davao City and being appointed as chief of San Pedro police.
Consulta is happily married to Amy and is a proud father of three.