Pasig cops start using body cams for more transparency

A police officer inspects a body cam, one of 48 donated by Pasig City Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. (Photo from the Eastern Police District)

Member of the Pasig City Police Station started using body cameras on Wednesday during checkpoints, surveillance operations, raids, and other police operations like Oplan Galugad.

The Eastern Police District (EPD) said 48 Vigilante HD body cameras donated by the Pasig City Hall would be distributed to the 10 police community precincts (PCPs) in the city.

Each PCP in Pasig will have three body cameras, while the remaining 18 units will be used by the Special Reaction Unit.

Chief Supt. Romulo Sapitula, EPD director, said the move was in response to the directive of Director General Ronald dela Rosa, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), for police officers use body cameras in operations “to document what is happening on the ground.”

“It will also serve as a tool to protect our selves whenever someone will accused us of misdemeanor as we perform our duties and responsibilities,” Sapitula said. “Our operations are now transparent to the public.”

After the demonstration on Wednesday afternoon, Sapitula thanked Pasig City Mayor Robert Eusebio for the procurement of the body cameras.

He also encouraged the other police chiefs of Mandaluyong, Marikina, and San Juan to coordinate with their local government units so that they could also get body cameras.

On Thursday, the Pasig City Police Station, led by Senior Supt Orlando Yebra, Jr., will demonstrate the conduct of checkpoint operations with the use of body cameras in front of Estancia Mall at around 10 a.m.

Expected to attend is Director Oscar Albayalde, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO). /atm