Rookie cops to undergo rigid training

CEBU, Philippines — New police recruits are set to undergo six-month rigid trainings to lessen their exposure to the risk of bribery, corruption, and other wrongdoings in police stations.

Instead of a six-month on-the-job training program, they will go through the Special Action Force’s six-month Basic Internal Security Operations Course (Bisoc) at the SAF facility in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Among the objectives of the training are to instill discipline among the policemen and to deter other officers from indulging in acts against the code of conduct of the police service.

There were allegedly reports about some rookie policemen being involved in corruption by collecting protection money from various individuals linked to illegal drugs.

The training will start once newly-installed Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde, who replaced former PNP chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, institutionalizes the six-month rigorous course.

If the recruit flunks the course, Albayalde said he could no longer enter the police force.

Albayalde, a former SAF member, said the training is critically needed because of the country’s various internal security issues.

The SAF training would help improve the police force’s capability, especially since their salaries have been recently doubled, he added.

Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) Spokesperson Reyman Tolentin said it is a welcome development.

“In SAF discipline is being instilled, naa gyud tanan, so bawal ka pawala-wala. You are molded like a good policeman. Orders are given and you need to follow them,” Tolentin said.

He assured the recruits that there is nothing to fear because the training will only help them hone their skills and make them “well-rounded” policemen.

“The police profession is a profession of arms, dili sila angay mahadlok. In fact it is a challenge to overcome. The training will prepare them for any eventualities, they should embrace this kind of development,” Tolentin said.

Moreover, Tolentin said they are ready to welcome whatever new set of rules Albayalde would implement during his helm. (FREEMAN)