Inday protests indiscriminate transfer of trained DCPO men

City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio voiced out her concern against the indiscriminate transfer of Davao City Police Office personnel, especially those whom the city had already invested on for specialized training.

“There had been times that my intervention was sought to prevent the transfer especially of DCPO to whom we invested trainings for and then they just end up getting recruited and transferred to other units,” said Duterte-Carpio in vernacular during a press conference in her office yesterday, June 22, 2018.

Duterte-Carpio said she already raised the concern to PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde during his courtesy call at the City Hall yesterday, adding that she understands when the transfer is because of the personnel's misconduct.

Duterte-Carpio said Albayalde agreed with her point. The city mayor is set to write a letter addressed to

DCPO Director Alexander Tagum to not be quick in transferring personnel, especially those where the LGU has already invested on for special trainings. Those requesting transfers because of family concerns, however, will be given consideration.

Expanded Davao City Police Office

One of the concerns that the city mayor and Albayalde talked about was the proposed expansion of the Davao City Police Office. The expansion is targeted to be finally approved within the year.

“There will be more police personnel [following the expansion]. We’ll see them more on the streets, they will have more operations with their police visibility,” the mayor said in vernacular.

In an earlier published report, Tagum was proposing a bigger police office, which will include four new police stations. This proposal is brought about by the city’s rapid growth, rising population, and massive tourist arrivals. Tagum plans to divide the areas of Sta. Ana Police Station, San Pedro Police Station, Talomo Police Station, and Buhangin Police Station.

Currently, DCPO has about 1,890 personnel and for it to achieve the ideal police to population ration of 1 is to 500, Tagum said DCPO should have about 3,497 personnel.

“The proposed expansion is based on the following premise: With the rapid growth and expansion of Davao City, we cite Title III, Section 25 of Republic Act 6975, otherwise known as the PNP Law: At the provincial level, there shall be a PNP office, each headed by a provincial director. In case of large provinces, police districts, may be established by the Commission to be headed by District Director,” read the position paper. (with reports of JCR)