PNP chief wants cops to be marksmen

MANILA, Philippines — Police officers who fail in marksmanship will be disarmed and required to undergo training, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said yesterday.
“Proficiency and efficiency in the use of firearms are very important because people’s lives are at stake,” Torre said.
Not only will the officers be required to be proficient in shooting, Torre also wants them to be physically fit at all times.
Along this line, police personnel assigned in offices and those assigned to mobile forces have to participate in sporting activities such as swimming and badminton every Tuesday and Thursday.
They are free to choose their sports activities as long as they keep themselves fit, Torre said.
On the marksmanship training, Torre emphasized that a simple error can lead to unnecessary deaths or to collateral damage during armed encounters.
As head of the PNP, Torre said he would undergo the marksmanship test himself and be willing to retire from service if he fails.
Torre told reporters on the sidelines of the PNP Press Corps 3rd Invitational Shoot Fest in Quezon City that the marksmanship training will be a requirement for promotion and for placement in key positions.
“If (police commanders) are tested (in proficiency) and they fail, I will remove them,” said Torre, who recently approved the procurement of ammunition for 9mm handguns in a bid to boost proficiency in using firearms.
Torre entrusted the ammunition to the PNP Training Service for the use of officers in enhancing their firearms proficiency.
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