Valenzuela City turns over 60 new police cars with dash cams, GPS

Sixty new police mobile units equipped with dashboard cameras and Global Positioning System (GPS) and eight welltrained K-9 dogs were turned over by the Valenzuela City government to its local police force yesterday.

The turnover ceremony was led by Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Northern Police District director Chief Supt. Armando Clifton Empiso and Valenzuela City Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian.

Dela Rosa lauded the city government for its strong support to its local police force.

“I want to thank the city government for its generosity and ‘unli-support’ to the Valenzuela police. This is another important contribution for the campaign in the city, especially to the war against drugs,” Dela Rosa said.

The new patrol units, which cost more than a million pesos each, have dashboard cameras to ensure the effectiveness of the operations around the city, particularly with the fight against illegal drugs.

The GPS-readiness of the vehicles, meanwhile, aims to easily de- ploy authorities in crime incidents and to track the location of the vehicles.

Also, the conference room at the Valenzuela City Police headquarters was converted into a command center where the location of the vehicles can be monitored and the footage of each dashcam can be submitted for viewing and archiving.

Gatchalian said it is not only for the monitoring of the police operations but also for the welfare of his “disciplined police force.”

“Your work is dangerous. If someone is accusing you about lapses, at least you have evidence,” Gatchalian told the cops.

Gatchalian also said that Valenzuela City is now among the first few cities in the country equipped with the “call of the time,” as they already have five anti-drug sniffing dogs and three explosive-sniffing dogs.

“We want our city to be secured. We want our policemen to do their job accordingly,” Gatchalian said.

The K-9 dogs, which cost R350,000 each, showcased their skills during the event as trained members of the Valenzuela Police Special Reaction Unit conducted a simulation.

The dogs, which include a beagle, Belgian malinois, Jack russell, and labrador, will be sheltered at the renovated fire station turned into a canine kennel.

Recently, the local government also provided new motorcycles, firearms and gears to the city police.

The construction of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) headquarters and the police’s firing range are ongoing.

The PNP chief, meanwhile, encouraged the cops to give back by working hard.

“Let’s strengthen our move. We are not only into the war against drugs but to all police operations in the country,” Dela Rosa said.