THE PNP yesterday reminded policemen that their service firearms must be used for law enforcement operations and not for ceremonial and similar purposes.
The warning was issued after a policeman from Lavezares town in Northern Samar fired his gun last Saturday to signal the start of a fiesta boat race competition.
The policeman, with the rank of master sergeant, was already relieved from his post pending a thorough investigation of the incident.
In a statement, the PNP said the incident was “unacceptable.”
“While the act may have been non-hostile and did not result in harm or damage, it nonetheless constitutes a clear deviation from established protocols on firearm use,” the PNP said.
It reminded policemen that their firearms are “a vital tool of law enforcement and must be handled with the highest degree of discipline and responsibility at all times.”
The PNP said the firearms were issued to policemen “strictly for legitimate law enforcement operations.”
“They must never be used for ceremonial, symbolic, or non-operational purposes without explicit clearance and proper authority,” the PNP said.
“Any misuse, regardless of intent, will not be tolerated and may subject the personnel involved to administrative and disciplinary action,” it also said.
It urged policemen to exercise “utmost caution, sound judgment, and full compliance with existing rules and regulations.”
“Discipline in firearm handling is not only a measure of professionalism but also an essential element in sustaining public trust and confidence in the police service,” it added.
