NEWLY appointed National Capital Region Police Office director Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina warns officials of the Quezon City Police District headquarters that “kotong” cops will not be tolerated under his watch. His visit came days after his son claimed a Quezon City policeman accosted him on false charges and tried to extort money from him. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
Exercise every day, limit your rice intake and be courteous, even to criminals.
These were among the bits of advice dispensed Tuesday by newly appointed National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina during a visit to the Quezon City Police District headquarters (QCPD) as he went around the different Metro police districts.
Espina, who like Philippine National Police chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome, sports a trim physique, urged policemen with pot bellies to get themselves into shape so that they would be able to wear their uniform with pride.
His tip for losing weight: “Go easy on the rice.”
“Take care of your bodies. What if you have to run? How can you wear the uniform if your belly is bulging?” he added.
To be fit, Espina advised “heavyweights” to “jog every other day for 30 minutes” and “do 40 pull-ups every day.”
He said that policemen should not only be proud to wear their uniform, they should also learn to don it correctly.
The “Type B” uniform which refers to a white shirt over blue police pants is unacceptable, Espina stressed.
“Don’t let me catch you giving media interviews wearing civilian wear or that Type B [uniform] or the blue police shirt. Wear your uniform with pride,” the NCRPO chief said.
According to Espina, the PNP uniform is a symbol of authority and reflects one’s self-discipline.
Facial hair or long hair are also no-nos, including “policemen with hairstyles which look like they just woke up,” he said as several QCPD officers were spotted smoothing down their hair with their fingers.
But more importantly, policemen should also be disciplined and practice courtesy, even when making an arrest.
“Say ‘po.’ ‘Inaaresto po namin kayo (We are arresting you),’ ‘Itaas po ang mga kamay (Put your hands up).’ If you are courteous, people will come to respect and trust you,” Espina said.