Res Gestae
Proactivism
The title of this article is coined to describe the needed perspective in today's policing – proactive law enforcement. I don't assume, however, that our law enforcement agencies are merely reactive to issues and events.
In the case of the PNP, it has been pursuing a proactive stance, both in its anti-criminality and anti-insurgency campaigns. The organization recognizes the significant impacts of proactive measures in all its endeavors. Visibility patrols, check/chokepoints, community education and awareness activities, coordination and linkages with government agencies and non-government organizations, are among the leading programs and mechanisms of the PNP to deter crimes and suppress other threats to peace and order.
These processes, however, are lack of interpersonal character. They are less interactive and devoid of the principle of empowerment. And, they are mostly preferred by our police units, probably either because they are cost or time efficient. Indubitably, these activities and operations could be accomplished in hours or a day. And they become accomplishments, earning the police units good points for periodic Performance Evaluation Rating.
While I commend these particular efforts of the PNP, I cannot also help but consider them less effective, considering the absence of both interpersonal and intrapersonal characters of the programs. Besides, crime rates are still relatively high.
What I consider more effective proactive measures are those programs which make every member of the community directly involved in the peace and order processes, leading to the actualization of the "police" in them. This is anchored on Robert Peel's principle that "the police is the community and community is the police."
Compared to the programs under the "conservative" approach of policing, the community-based or sector-based projects and programs are not only cost-efficient and effective; they are also more sustainable and their effects are rather lasting.
The contemporary, nay "proactive", approach of policing involves the whole spectrum of our social classes. It empowers the youths, women, entrepreneurs, professionals, religious, drivers, name it. Adopting this approach, however, requires patients, innovation, motivation, leadership, vision and charisma. And, the approach is not farfetched considering that the PNP has members, well lots of them, who have those qualities. They only need a push from the top brasses of the organization.
(For your comments and suggestions, text SMS to 09193161190 or email at rogatepnp@yahoo.com.)