AGI results : Poor English, lack of men and cars plague city cops

Poor grammar and tenses, lack of vehicles for police stations, high electric and water consumptions, poor memorization of the Miranda Doctrine, lack of trained negotiators for hostage situations, absence of standby generators and no existing crime information management system were among the weaknesses and deficiencies observed by inspectors who conducted the Annual General Inspection last week in Cebu City Police Office.

The AGI inspectors led by Internal Affairs Service deputy inspector, C/Supt. Irving Malunda said earlier that the inspection is the tool of the PNP to ensure the preparedness of their personnel.

Inspectors from the PNP Camp Crame said the building housing the Cebu City Police Office main headquarters is a "fire hazard.

The said building was said to have been built in the late 60s and was a former camp of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that was passed to the Philippine Constabulary before the PNP-CCPO took over.

The AGI also noticed that only two of the 11 police stations in the city are occupying lots actually owned by the PNP.

But the AGI inspectors also praised the police office for their strong points.

AGI lauded the said office for their adopt-a-station program, the efficient records and logistics keeping and crime reduction of 9.63 percent or from 5,407 to 4,901 based on the July 2005 to June 2006 record.

Regarding the intelligence capabilities of the city police, the inspectors also noted a shortage of trained intelligence personnel at seven of the 11 city police stations.

Despite these, the inspectors said there were notable improvements since last year's AGI. - Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP