THE POLICE’S reason for being is to serve the citizenry with the commitment of sacrifice and willingness to die in the service of God, country and people.
This is why we are disappointed by what happened to entire police force of Anilao, Iloilo. They were sacked for sleeping on their jobs, and last week they started a 45-day retraining at the Police Regional Office 6 headquarters in Iloilo City.
“We want them to remember what they learned when they were just starting at the Philippine National Police,” says Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, regional police director.
Surely, when these policemen were admitted to the service and got their badges, they must have been very proud wearing them. The badges are a sign of honor, dedication and pride.
Indeed it is. Or it should be. It should also remind them to keep their integrity intact. Policemen have been entrusted with the badge as a symbol of their worthiness as police officers; to serve and protect the people from whom they derive their power and authority; and to enforce the laws of the land without fear or favor.
A policeman’s badge is worn not to intimidate people but to command respect from them. Respect will come naturally to the profession if they are able to do their job fearlessly and properly – which will only make the sheen of their badges stand out more easily.
But the badge will be permanently tarnished once its wearer is unable to fulfill his duty.
Policemen’s badges, uniforms and titles all underscore the nobility of their profession that many people still look up to, especially in times of trouble and disasters. They also remind policemen of the virtues they must uphold – service, honor and justice.
