Mandaue cops told: Stay abreast of news
Mandaue City Police chief Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac yesterday issued a memorandum directing all police personnel to brush up on current affairs to better maintain peace and order in the city.
“To all station chiefs, encourage your men to read newspapers, listening to radios especially commentaries and primetime news,” Gillamac said in the memorandum.
He ordered the chiefs of police precincts to provide desk officers with AM-FM radios and newspapers for easier access to information.
Supt. James Goforth, deputy director for operations, was tasked to start inspecting police precincts today for compliance with Gillamac’s order.
Administrative sanctions will be imposed for non-compliance, Gillamac said.
The issuance of the memorandum coincided with yesterday’s opening of Cebu’s 17th Press Freedom Week and the ongoing Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas Broadcasters’ Month.
“It has been observed that most of our Philippine National Police personnel lack knowledge and information on current events and what’s happening around them especially pertaining to peace and order,” Gillamac said.
“This causes them to become insensitive to issues, detached to the environment and pulse of public opinion.”
Awareness of and being sensitive to current events is the “key to individual commitment to reach our vision and mission,” Gillamac said.
The police chief added that an updated policeman is more effective and competent at his job and earns the trust of the community in the fight against crime.
He said media practitioners who have some queries on current issues that police do not answer could expose them as ignorant or create the impression that the policemen are hiding information. /Norman V. Mendoza, Correspondent
