LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Col. Rollyfer Capoquian, the new Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO) director, is determined to use technology to fight crimes.
In an interview Wednesday, Capoquian said he aims to develop a digital system in crime prevention and identification such as panic button apps on alarm systems and facial recognition system.
He also plans to introduce the utilization of modern technology in the conduct of police operations and inter-agency collaboration, for a holistic approach in crime prevention.
“Introduce innovative ideas. Dati cartographic sketch lang ginagamit, ngayon may mga apps na ginagamit na ang Philippine National Police para mabilis ma-identify mga suspects (Introduce innovative ideas. Before, the Philippine National Police used only cartographic sketch but is now using apps to easily identify suspects),’ he said.
Capoquian was officially named as the PPPO chief on Tuesday during a turn-over ceremony at the Magilas Hall of PPPO in Lingayen town, Pangasinan.
He replaced
Col. Jeff Fanged, who was assigned to the national office in Camp Crame.
The plan to use technology to address crimes is welcomed by PPPO personnel.
“The use of artificial intelligence in identifying suspects is only available in one station in the province. But there are available technologies being used by the police such as accessing the list of wanted persons, which is connected to the national office’s system,” PPPO information officer Capt. Renan dela Cruz said in a phone interview Wednesday.
He said some establishments in the province also have alarm systems connected to the phone of PPPO in cases of emergencies.
“It is good to boost such technologies to improve crime prevention and solution,” he added.
Aside from use of technology to deter crimes, Capoquian said they will increase police visiblity especially amid the upcoming midterm elections, with around 80 percent targeted to be deployed on the field.
“Our focus is visibility to improve crime prevention and crime solution. We will prioritize
deployment of police especially at night; blinkers on police cars and the overall omnipresence of police on the streets,” Capoquian said.
Joint inspections and checkpoints with other government agencies and other law enforcement units will also be conducted to strengthen border control, he added.
Source: Philippines News Agency