A kid salutes CCPO director Royina Garma during the launching of the Kiddie Squad at the CCPO grounds. CDN Digital photo | Gerard Vincent Francisco
CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES—In its bid to boost the children’s trust on the police, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is giving the young ones a chance to be police officers for 10 days.
The CCPO launched the “Kiddie Squad,” a summer engagement program which is said to help make the younger generation understand the work of a policeman.
CCPO Director Police Colonel Royina Garma said in an interview with the press, that 10 children will be assigned to their area’s respective police stations to assist the policemen.
Children joining are aged 3 to 14 years old.
“Gusto nato nga maging sensitive sila sa isa’t isa, kay anak ka ng mayaman, or mahirap ka, iisa lang,” said Garma.
(We want them to be sensitive with each other, because whether you are a child of a rich family or poor family, we are still one.)
Garma said that she wishes the event will also grant “respect for the law, trust in the police and love for country.”
Garma clarified that the children are only going to do administrative work and not serious police operations such as raids, or man a checkpoint. They also won’t have access to the detention cells.
She did say that the children will be allowed to join in the community outreach programs and be required to join meeting between the station commanders.
Children will also undergo self-defense exercises.
“Parang boy scout ito. Except nagfocus sa mga police operations,” said Garma.
(This is like being a boy scout. Except that they will be focusing on police operations.) /bmjo