09 September 2005
OPINION: Reform the PNP? Maybe in about several decades
The Pen Speaks
By Danny O. Sagun
ON about the same day (Tuesday, was it?), two police officers figured in shameless actions that surely brought headaches to their respective bosses. One was accused of slapping nine fishermen from Bagong Baryo in Bonuan Gueset during a confrontation on the latter men’s allegedly engaging in illegal fishing activities. The other reportedly showed his police ID card and gun instead of his driver’s license to a traffic enforcer when the latter flagged him down for apparent traffic violations. Both were said to be reeking of liquor.
These are just samples of the kind of policemen we have in our midst. Our parents of old related to us how men in uniform during those days were looked up to by the people, yes, they earned that respect and honor. Now, policemen are either feared (don’t ever cross path with them or else…) or despised (because of shenanigans and irregularities).
Dagupan police chief Supt. Ed Basbas reportedly dressed down the policemen doubling as passenger jeepney driver in a confrontation at the police station. The cop did not have a license to show, and so he thought he could get away with it by showing his police ID and firearm. The traffic aide was somehow intimidated but he managed to call for help from his supervisor and the city police.
The officer is said to be based at the provincial police office where Basbas used to be deputy director for operations before his assignment here and thus might have known that fellow before. Basbas reminded him that the police hierarchy was doing its best to reshape the image of the PNP but that bad eggs like him are sabotaging the effort.
Can the police still change its image? Maybe. But it won’t probably be in the next few years, considering that ranking police officers themselves are suspected of involvement in anomalies and payoffs.
***
I am reminded of something we always forget to tell our friend Col. Ric Tamayo about whenever we meet at the PAGIO (information officers association in Pangasinan) meeting.
We had wanted to tell the good colonel, who heads the police community relations office our observations that policemen by and large, especially during their night duty, are often seen drinking liquor or beer right at the police station. Alcohol, as we know, affects one’s alertness and judgment. What happens when an urgent call is received by the station and the drunk policemen have to respond? Can they still respond normally? Not even chewing Chicklet can hide their alcoholic breath, right?
Policemen are not allowed to drink during their tour of duty. But this policy is always set aside. Some police chiefs even join their men for the “happy-happy.” And even if he does not, his men will do their thing once he leaves the station to knock off for the night. If this simple rule, like other rules, is neglected, we can only conclude that the image of the police will remain in the negative – if it doesn’t get worse. Too bad for the department.
By Danny O. Sagun
ON about the same day (Tuesday, was it?), two police officers figured in shameless actions that surely brought headaches to their respective bosses. One was accused of slapping nine fishermen from Bagong Baryo in Bonuan Gueset during a confrontation on the latter men’s allegedly engaging in illegal fishing activities. The other reportedly showed his police ID card and gun instead of his driver’s license to a traffic enforcer when the latter flagged him down for apparent traffic violations. Both were said to be reeking of liquor.
These are just samples of the kind of policemen we have in our midst. Our parents of old related to us how men in uniform during those days were looked up to by the people, yes, they earned that respect and honor. Now, policemen are either feared (don’t ever cross path with them or else…) or despised (because of shenanigans and irregularities).
Dagupan police chief Supt. Ed Basbas reportedly dressed down the policemen doubling as passenger jeepney driver in a confrontation at the police station. The cop did not have a license to show, and so he thought he could get away with it by showing his police ID and firearm. The traffic aide was somehow intimidated but he managed to call for help from his supervisor and the city police.
The officer is said to be based at the provincial police office where Basbas used to be deputy director for operations before his assignment here and thus might have known that fellow before. Basbas reminded him that the police hierarchy was doing its best to reshape the image of the PNP but that bad eggs like him are sabotaging the effort.
Can the police still change its image? Maybe. But it won’t probably be in the next few years, considering that ranking police officers themselves are suspected of involvement in anomalies and payoffs.
***
I am reminded of something we always forget to tell our friend Col. Ric Tamayo about whenever we meet at the PAGIO (information officers association in Pangasinan) meeting.
We had wanted to tell the good colonel, who heads the police community relations office our observations that policemen by and large, especially during their night duty, are often seen drinking liquor or beer right at the police station. Alcohol, as we know, affects one’s alertness and judgment. What happens when an urgent call is received by the station and the drunk policemen have to respond? Can they still respond normally? Not even chewing Chicklet can hide their alcoholic breath, right?
Policemen are not allowed to drink during their tour of duty. But this policy is always set aside. Some police chiefs even join their men for the “happy-happy.” And even if he does not, his men will do their thing once he leaves the station to knock off for the night. If this simple rule, like other rules, is neglected, we can only conclude that the image of the police will remain in the negative – if it doesn’t get worse. Too bad for the department.
