New Napolcom commissioner named

A RETIRED police officer trained in crisis management has been appointed to the agency tasked to screen police applicants and discipline those already in the service.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) announced that President Aquino had appointed retired Director Felizardo M. Serapio Jr. to replace Luisito T. Palmera, whose six-year term as a commissioner ended on Jan. 7.

Before his appointment as Napolcom commissioner, Serapio was the undersecretary and head of the law enforcement and security integration office under the Office of the Executive Secretary.

He was also the director of the Integrated Police Operations in Western Mindanao and head of the Police Regional Office 12 and Special Action Force before his retirement in 2010.

Serapio was known as a crisis manager while in the service, being a graduate of the RP-UK Crisis Management Assistance Program and various international crisis management courses, said Napolcom vice chair and executive officer Eduardo U. Escueta. He also conducted crisis management training for the Philippine National Police.

“His vast experience in law enforcement and participation as a resource person in international law enforcement integration and cooperation will definitely be an asset to the Napolcom,” Escueta added.

At present, the Napolcom is composed of Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento as chair, vice chair Escueta, commissioners Alejandro S. Urro, Constancia P. de Guzman, and PNP Director General Ricardo C. Marquez as ex-officio commissioner.