MESSAGE TO THE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

Message delivered by JUDGE RAY ALAN T. DRILON, Executive Judge RTC, on the 19^th Anniversary of the Bacolod City PNP, February 22,2010. Published in the Negros Daily Bulletin.

I am honored to be invited to this momentous occasion, the 19^th Anniversary of the Bacolod City Philippine National Police. I am especially delighted to join the men and women who compose our Police Force, under the capable and competent leadership of Police Senior Superintendent Celestino Guarra,

The Philippine National Police, is an indispensable organization which is at the forefront of law enforcement. Given the magnitude of the problems and challenges facing our law enforcers today, the PNP has the onerous responsibility of  promoting law and order in our society. The PNP has to reposition itself for efficient and effective  functionality being the strong arm of the civil government. There can be no disagreement to the proposition  that economic growth and national development can  be sustainable only  in an environment of enduring peace, stability, security, and the supremacy of the rule of law. This requires the strengthening of our law enforcement and justice system. This also underscores the profundity of the task with which the Local Government and the people of Bacolod  are charging you today.

Your theme in this celebration is Transformation. Indeed it is necessary to transform  the PNP into a respected and excellent police organization. Some of our policemen, like some of our politicians have been maligned, criticized, and denounced for corruption and incompetence. There is a need to transform this image. 

Daunting as the task of transforming the PNP, may appear to be, I am confident that you will  fully commit to working and serving selflessly and diligently and rise up to the challenge. You will not be working alone in this task of transformation. You need the support not only of the government but of the community as well.

I believe that in the process of transformation the PNP should establish its goals and objectives along with the high standard of honesty and integrity.  Policemen should never break the law in order to enforce the law. No officer is justified in breaking the law on the grounds of expediency. Police officers should always act within the bounds of the law. Crime fighting and reduction techniques should be used by following the standard protocol and rules of engagement.

The primary goal of the  Police Department is to maintain social order within prescribed ethical and constitutional limits. It is the goal of every Police organization to provide the citizens police services  at a level of quality which will instill high public confidence and maintain the trust and support of the community. Protection of life and liberty, crime prevention, impartial enforcement of the law, efficient investigation of crime, diligent prosecution of the offender and promoting the positive image of the policeman are the hall marks of an excellent police force.  To attain this goal, the Department's role is to enforce the law in a fair and impartial manner, recognizing both the statutory and judicial limitations of police authority and the constitutional rights of all persons.   The basic and major tasks of a police organization are:  Protection of Life and Property; Prevention, Detection and Investigation of Criminal Activity; Apprehension of Offenders and Assistance in Criminal Prosecution; Maintaining Ethical Standards; Traffic and Crowd Control; Training of Officers; Fighting Terrorism; and Community Service.

While the Judiciary is tasked with the administration of criminal justice, the successful prosecution of the offenders, brought before the courts, rests upon the efficiency and dedication of the police force  in solving crimes, in partnership with  the  prosecution arm of the government. After all the task of solving crimes and gathering of evidence is the domain of the police department and the building up of evidence in criminal prosecution rests upon the public prosecutors. Faulty crime detection or crime scene investigation will mean a weak case for the prosecution. Criminal cases are lost because of poor police work.

I believe that this is a continuing challenge. There is again a need to revisit the basics of crime scene  investigation from initial response, preliminary documentation and evaluation of the scene, and processing and recording. We need to develop and update knowledge, skills, and expertise through training and use of modern facilities. Actions taken at the outset of an investigation can play a pivotal role in the resolution of the case. Careful, thorough investigation is the key to ensure that potential physical evidence is not tainted or compromised or potential witnesses overlooked.

I would like also to relay the observation that our city is a growing city in terms of population and economic growth. The burgeoning of commercial districts calls for quick response teams, foot-beat police visibility in densely populated barangays, commercial areas, dark alleys and city strips. I am glad that the Bacolod  PNP   has already in place  neighborhood watch programs fully supported by our civic minded citizens.

Lastly, let me also mention the increasing problems of juvenile crime, domestic violence, Fraud Con Game rackets, and sexual assaults, which continue to bedevil our society. With respect to youth crime there is a need  to develop Youth Intervention Program. With respect to domestic and family violence, we have the Women and Children' Desk of the PNP, which deals with this complex problem, but there is still the need to educate our police officers in processing CICL upon initial contact following the provisions of RA 9344. The threat of terrorist attack and other acts of lawlessness is real and a growing security concern.

We live in interesting times. Soon our police organization will be confronted with the complexity of living in the fast lane of cyberage. It is not remote that Cyber-crime and technology related crime will appear as  new phenomenon which will certainly call for a  kind professional policeman, different from the type of policeman we have now.    

In closing, let may say that the good people of this City know that their police officers are being asked to do more with less – more work time but less pay, fewer resources, inadequate logistics, and an over-extended  workforce.  We are going through tough economic times and the people know your workload. I hope that whoever will be the Mayor of this City, after the elections in May, you will continue  to do all you can to work with our city leaders to maintain the strength of the Police Department.  I encourage each and every one of you to make it your priority to maintain your professionalism as law enforcement officers. It has been said that the law enforcement profession  is the only important profession in which process is always more important than results.  No one cares how a surgeon saves a life as long as the operation is a success.  In police business we must zealously guard the way we complete our tasks in order to maintain the most important asset of the organization, our credibility.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Happy 19^th Anniversary, and may the Almighty Bless you, as we hope for enduring peace, security, stability, and progress.

Thank you.