PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil is bent on ensuring there will be a modern Filipino police force at par with its counterparts abroad.

“As the 30th Chief of the PNP, I intend to build on the strides made so far, to ensure that there is both continuity and improvement–that the PNP remains effective at its job while evolving to become a modern Filipino police force for a modern Filipino society,” he said.

First is by focusing on the quality of leadership, knowledge, ability and professionalism within their ranks.

Second is by expanding police ability to uphold the law, maintain order and fight local and transnational crimes in all its forms and manifestations.

And third, the new top cop vowed to “strive to increase the level of trust that the people we protect have in us.”

The PNP chief expressed his commitment to ensure that each and every member of the PNP, including future recruits, will be supported in developing, improving and refining the skills that are needed in their line of work and for their career progression as law enforcers.

“More than ever, we need police officers who possess critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address the many unique situations that arise, and in particular, to become catalysts for the changes we need in the organization – to become better and more efficient at what we do,” he said.

He made the vow as he told his men to always remember that they should “be mentors, teachers, trainers and leaders by example to the incoming generation of police officers who will one day take our place.”

Marbil said he is also looking at the infrastructure and membership of the organization critically and would be employing a holistic approach to assess and determine ways by which they can increase effectiveness, efficiency and productivity throughout the 17 Police Regional Offices, 102 Provincial and City Police Offices and 1,824 city and municipal police stations spread all over the country.

“We shall place the utmost importance on police-community engagement, working together to reduce crime through education, community partnerships in policing and the use of emerging technology and social media,” he added.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon