3 cops caught sleeping on duty

MANILA, Philippines — Three police officers caught sleeping on the job during a surprise inspection led by National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar Sunday night will be investigated.

Eleazar scolded the three police officers but chose not to remove them from their posts so they would still work and not spend their time “relaxing.”

He ordered the police officers to report to the NCRPO for investigation yesterday, adding that the most likely charge the three would face is grave misconduct, which carries the maximum penalty of dismissal from the service.

Accompanied by members of media, Eleazar conducted surprise inspections of eight precincts in the Northern Police District and Quezon City Police District.

Two policemen, one in Navotas and the other in Caloocan, were caught sleeping while on duty though they were in uniform.

In Novaliches, Quezon City, a policewoman on duty was caught sleeping and wearing civilian clothes, including ripped jeans.

Eleazar said police officers in the five other precincts he inspected were alert and ready to respond.

The NCRPO chief said his inspections of police stations and precincts would continue until he is satisfied that the police officers on duty are ready to respond to crimes on short notice.