Mayor Sara to new DCPO chief: ‘Improve on the tower of peace’

NEWLY designated Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Col. Kirby John Kraft has vowed to field more police officers in the streets to intensify security measures in the city.

Kraft took the spot vacated by outgoing director Alexander Tagum, who is now assigned as the senior executive assistant of acting police director Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa at the national police headquarters.

Kraft, in yesterday’s command turn-over ceremony at Capt. Domingo Leonor, accepted the challenge of Mayor Sara Duterte to keep the city peaceful.

“Ma’am, rest assured that I will perform my given task as city director 100 percent and 24 hours a day,” Kraft said in his speech in reply to Duterte’s challenge.

“Allow me to thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the chance to be the city director, it is a rare opportunity for me,” Kraft said. “I will never fail you, Ma’am.”

“Life is here in Davao City so let us be pro-active not reactive,” Kraft said, quoting the popular city tagline.

Durterte said Kraft should sustain the foundation that was built by the outgoing police director.

“Improve on the tower of peace here in Davao City,” she said. “That’s the general order.”

The mayor also asked Kraft for “dedication, integrity, and commitment to serve the city.”

The mayor said she believes that Kraft, based on the profile submitted to her, “will be good for the Davao City Police Office.” The mayor picked among the four contenders submitted by the police national headquarters.

Duterte said she picked Kraft because he is a “stranger” to the city.

The mayor said if she would pick someone from Davao, or someone who is a friend to her, then “familiarity will be our enemy.”

The mayor said she preferred “someone from the outside” who can “tell us what we need to improve.”

Before becoming the DCPO chief, Kraft was assigned in several police units and regions, but never in Davao.

His last assignment was with the Highway Patrol Group in region 3 (Central Luzon)

He handled various tasks in several police regional offices, including Ilocos, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Zamboanga Peninsula.

He also became the provincial director of Laguna and chief of police of San Pedro City.

He was also once assigned at the Office of the Directorial Chief of Staff.

In an interview with reporters, Kraft said he will implement “Davao City Shield 911,” a patrol concept where more police officers will be detailed at the streets so they will be visible to the public.

He also vowed to continue and improve the programs implemented by his predecessor.

Brig. Gen. Filmore Escobal, the newly designated Police Regional Office acting director, advised Kraft to “know your job and do it well.”