3K students, parents in Lapu named junior police, parents brigade

Mayor Paz Radaza hands the plaque of recognition to Chief Inspector Genesis Aneversario of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO). The Junior Police and Parents Brigade project is organized by the Lapu-Lapu City government in coordination with the LCPO.
CDN PHOTO/NORMAN V. MENDOZA

After a month of training for the Junior Police and Parents Brigade, more than 3,000 elementary and high school mostly classroom officers, along with their parents, gathered at the Hoops Dome for their investiture ceremony on Monday morning.

The titles, Junior Police and Parents Brigade of Lapu-Lapu City, were conferred upon them respectively.

“This may sound cliché, but this still stands true, that with great power comes great responsibility. That, if you are in a position, along with the authority, there’s a huge expectation from people who have put you there,” said Mayor Paz Radaza in a speech.

She added that these students and parents were bestowed with powers and authority as members of Junior Police and Parents Brigade.

She explained that they are vested with the power to promote peace and order in their school and in their community. They are given the responsibility to ensure that the children are secured and protected.

They are given the task to be the peacemakers in their respective schools, bestowed with the responsibility to be the city’s partner in bringing positive change among the constituents and to foster in them good citizenship.

“I’m expecting that you will help the police enforce the peace and order in the city, especially in your respective schools, and help protect our environment,” Radaza said in Cebuano.

The mayor also reminded them not to use their position in an abusive way as they are expected to bring peace and order in the schools and the community.

Last month, the students and their parents were having training after school hours and during weekends.

They were taught by police personnel how to detect bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and illegal drugs. They were also taught about the basics of Criminal Law and the Solid Waste Management Act, which they can use in their task to help protect the environment.

The Junior Police and Parents Brigade were given IDs and uniforms with police logo. The duty hours of the Junior Police should not be in conflict with their classes, while that of the Parents Brigade is based on their volunteer time.

Yesterday, around 800 Junior Police and Parents Brigade also took their oath at the Mini Hoops Dome in Olango Island.