PNP execs get lessons on tweeting, Facebook

MANILA, Philippines - The regional and provincial directors of the Philippine National Police (PNP), most of them in their late 40s and early 50s, yesterday got lessons on social media, particularly on basic tweeting and Facebook skills to allow them to connect with the public.

Chief Superintendent Manuel Felix, head of the PNP directorate for police community relations (DPCR), said the police force is tapping social media to harness support on crime prevention and solution.

Felix said the move aims to increase netizens’ participation in crime reporting and measure the impact of social media activities in improving the police service.

“If we become a major source of information through social media and sincere partners of the netizens, the PNP will be able to empower the community and gain their trust and confidence,” Felix said

The DPCR initiated the training on social media for 120 police officials in the regional and provincial levels, and the national support units.

Officials of the PNP directorial staff, national administrative support units, national operational support units, police regional offices and other PNP offices attended yesterday’s activity at Camp Crame.

Among the topics discussed were the effective use of Twitter and other social media, social media and its impact on police service, integrating social media in the PNP programs and understanding social media analytics and metrics.

Superintendent Mannan Muarip, chief of the Manila Police District -Station 9 (Malate), said the seminar is useful to police officers like him.

Muarip told The STAR he learned to tweet on his own. He said Twitter could easily reach the public as he revealed station 9’s account, EG@ps9mpdreact,   and their Facebook account “MPD Malate React.”