LAOAG CITY — With the intensified internal cleansing program of the Philippine National Police, the Ilocos Norte police has issued demerits to 48 erring personnel.
On top of this, Police Chief Inspector Randy Baoit, acting Chief of the Provincial Operations of the PNP-Ilocos Norte, said for this year, there were 56 commissioned officers, 47 police non-commissioned officers, and two non-uniformed personnel, who were filed with charges.
“This is part of our continuing efforts to police our ranks and inculcate discipline at all times,” said Baoit in his report during the joint meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council last Oct. 5.
Under a memorandum circular, which established a delinquency reporting system in the PNP, police officers who do not observe good grooming, for example, could find themselves doing community service.
It also states that any policeman, regardless of rank, caught violating “tamang bihis (proper attire)” rules will get a five-point demerit. These violations include “unauthorized or improper wearing of uniforms, insignias and accouterments, unauthorized haircut, dirty shoes, dirty uniform, unshaved mustache, no hanky or tickler, no Miranda Warning Card as required during inspection, and other similar minor offenses.”
As a priority program under the leadership of PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde, Baoit said the Ilocos Norte police personnel are constantly reminded of their sworn duty and proper decorum at all times.
Treated as a major offense include absence from formation or command activities, which would earn a police officer a 20-point demerit; those who leave their post for more than two minutes, sleep at their post, or fail to initiate action on a complaint would get a 15-point demerit.
Police officers, who get a 15-point demerit in a month, will be directed to render community service, such as tree planting and joining cleanup drives and information dissemination campaigns.
Meanwhile, every act of goodness of the police is likewise commended to uplift their morale. (/PNA)
