50 newbie cops undergo training

CEBU, Philippines — Amid the series of killings linked to the government’s anti-drug campaign, at least 50 rookie policemen in the region are undergoing 35-day training on criminal investigation to boost their crime solution efficiency.

The training started yesterday at the Police Regional Office-7 headquarters in Camp Sergio Osmeña Sr.

Chief Inspector Rose Santolorin, chief of the case monitoring section of PRO-7 Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management Division (DIDMD), said the training is timely amid the series of killings in the country.

Santolorin admitted that most crime investigators learned through experience in the field and did not have formal trainings.

“Since most of the investigators have learned investigation sa field they need to have a special training on the investigation, they have the experience, but lacks in formal training,” she told reporters.

Most of the participants in the training are neophyte officers. Santolorin said that newbie cops are best suited for training because they have more time to apply their knowledge before retirement.

Santolorin said that investigation is the “backbone” of crime solutions because it is the process of seeking evidence needed to arrest and have the criminals convicted in the court of law.

“Ang pinakaimportante is to find sufficient evidence, to support filing of cases that will lead to the conviction,” she said.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB) chief Supt. Leoncio Baliguat Jr. said he expects the graduates of the training to apply the knowledge once they are out on field.

“Everything must be put in place, dili nga based on experience lang. Naa na guidelines gihatag, wala na opportunity nga ang investigation dili masubay sa sakto nga pag-implement,” he said.

Meanwhile, PRO-7 is set to distribute 17 units of patrol vehicles from Camp Crame. Among the police stations that will get a brand new Toyota Hi-Lux are Santa Fe, Sogod, Toledo, and Tudela.  The CCPO, Cebu City Mobile Force Company, and Mambaling police station will also have as well as the Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue City Police Offices.

All six police stations under MCPO will also be given the brand new vehicle. Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office will get four units for the headquarters, Canlaon City police station, La Libertad, and Sibulan. Siquijor Provincial Police Office will also have one unit. — FPL (FREEMAN)