The Pangasinan Star ONLINE

By SHEILA HORTALEZA-AQUINO

THE Dagupan City Police Station (DCPS) has a brand new police chief.

P/Supt. Edgar Basbas was named to replace Police Supt. Noli Taliño during a formal turnover of command held August 9 at the police station

City Mayor Benjamin S. Lim and Pangasinan Police Provincial Director Alan Purisima led the program, each expressing support to the new police chief.

Taliño, who was officer-in-charge of the DCPS for only 34 days, will be taking over as chief of the intelligence and investigation branch of the Police Provincial Office.

“The great challenge is for the police to earn the respect of the community and eventually, receive their support in the campaign for peace and order,” Lim said.

In terms of support from the local government unit, the mayor said more than enough has been given to the city police to make it function effectively.

Lim later bared a plan to transfer the DCPS to a bigger, long unoccupied building fronting the station. He sought the help of Purisima to allocate funds to improve the building and provide equipment, computers, cars, ammunitions and protective gear.

The Philippine National Police is reportedly allocating P2 million to P3 million for the construction of a new building for the DCPS, according to the mayor, which can be channeled instead to providing equipment and facilities for the city police since there is now a ready building for occupancy.

Lim later challenged Basbas to perform his task better while declaring his admiration to men in uniform because they follow order of turnover of posts without any resistance “or the need for impeachment.”

Basbas expressed full awareness of the DCPS being a consistent regional and national awardee of the PNP. He said he will do his best to maintain such achievement.

He called for community cooperation in the fight against criminality.

Purisima later gave a clearer perspective on the turnover of command among police officers. “This is a way to help them improve their careers and experience as police officers so that it will be easier for them to get a promotion,” Purisima said as he called on the city policemen to perform their task well.