A TOTAL of 2,222 policemen have been reassigned to their hometowns under the PNP Localization of Assignments Program, one of the thrusts of Gen. Camilo Cascolan upon his assumption as PNP chief last month.
Cascolan, who led the ceremonial send-off for the cops in rites at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame yesterday, said the reassignment of the policemen will lead to better performance of their jobs.
“The program will attain maximum efficiency and more effective law enforcement by prioritizing the welfare of every PNP personnel and reinforcing family solidarity,” Cascolan said.
Cascolan unveiled the program shortly after he assumed office as PNP chief on September 2.Under the program, policemen can apply to be re-assigned to police units in their hometowns, subject to vacancies.
“This mass movement of personnel initially covers inter-regional reassignment of personnel to their hometowns and places of permanent residence to give them a strong sense of ownership of their own locality and, in the process, induce better performance,” said Cascolan.
Cascolan said the PNP does not see the re-assignments as a disadvantage to the police force, downplaying insinuations the cops would commit abuses because they are familiar of the areas where they will be reassigned.
“It’s an advantage,” the PNP chief said, stressing the program will give the cops the opportunity to take care of their families and do their jobs, as law enforcers, better due to improved morale.
“We will not do this if we have not studied this or researched on it. We will not do this if we have not even experienced this,” said Cascolan.
Cascolan also said there are checks and balances adopted in the program, including the intensification of operations by the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group against erring cops.
