The government is set to restructure and strengthen the five police districts in Metro Manila to further improve law enforcement service to the people.
This after the present administration found that the current policing structures are no longer fit for the ‘modern world’ crime fighting.
It recommended the five police districts—Manila, Central (Quezon City), Eastern (San Juan, Marikina, Pasig and Mandaluyong), Southern (Pasay, Parañaque, Makati, Las Piñas, Taguig and Muntinlupa) and Northern (Caloocan, Navotas, Malabon and Valenzuela)—be reorganized and networked to improve efficiency.
In a resolution signed last month, the National Police Commission approved the organizational adjustments and increase in manpower to further enhance the performance and delivery of service of the police districts.
Napolcom vice chairman and Executive Officer Rogelio Casurao said there would be an additional seven positions to be created for the rank of Police Colonel (P/Col) in each police district due to the upgrading of the rank of the existing six Chiefs of Support Staff from Police Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col) to P/Col and the creation of the District Comptrollership Division.
“The creation of a District Comptrollership Division in each of the five NCR Police District Offices is necessary to assist and advise the District Directors in budgeting, accounting, financial management and internal auditing. This move shall promote transparency and accountability and shall ensure sound utilization of financial resources and prompt release of funds to subordinate units and personnel,” Casurao said.
The resolution stated that the existing 30 Chief of Support Staff positions in the five district offices shall also be upgraded from Lt. Col to P/Col. in consideration of the peculiar nature and complexity of policing in Metro Manila, as well as the decision-making responsibilities attached to the said positions and in recognition of the enormous tasks that Support Staff perform.
“The said positions necessitate appropriate prominence for the exercise of authority on matters pertaining to the administration and operations of the NCR Police District Offices,” said Casurao.
In Manila, there will be three additional police stations and five community precincts 1(PCPs) to be created which will be headed by Police Commissioned Officers (PCOs) with the ranks of Lt. Col and Police Major (P/Maj), respectively.
“The total number of police stations under Manila Police District shall be increased from 11 to 14 and the number of its PCPs shall also increase from 42 to 45 to sustain the attainment of the existing 1:401 police-to-population ratio of the MPD up to CY 2023, which shall be 1:431,” the resolution said.
In Quezon City, there will also be an additional four police stations and 12 PCPs. The total number of police stations shall also be increased from 12 to 16 while the PCPs shall increase from 45 to 57 to address the 1,553 manpower shortage of the Central Police District and to “increase its existing police-to-population ratio from 1:672 to 1:503 by CY 2019 and 1:533 by CY 2023.”
A 117-man District Tactical Motorized Units (DTMUs) under the MPD and CPD shall also be created as the operating unit primarily responsible in conducting patrol operations in major thoroughfares of Manila and Quezon City for sustained and intensified operations against motor-riding suspects (MRS) or “riding-in-tandem” suspects, anti-highway robbery, anti-hijacking, anti-drag racing, anti-fencing (i.e. through visitation of establishments of car parts dealers), and other street crimes.
The new policy also provides for the establishment of a District Anti-Carnapping Unit (DANCAR) in every Police District to serve as an operating unit for sustained and intensified anti-carnapping operations. The five DANCARs shall be headed by PCOs with the rank of Lt. Col.
Casurao said that a total of 18,255 personnel complement will be needed for the five Police Districts during the transition period of the full implementation of the restructuring.
“Also, an additional 113 Non-Uniformed Personnel (NUP) positions shall be initially occupied by Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCOs), subject to the approval and release of funds by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM),” he said.