THE newly installed chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday, warned that the days of rogue policemen are numbered.

President Benigno Aquino 3rd on Tuesday installed Alan Purisima as the 18th chief of the 154,000-strong police organization, replacing director general Nicanor Bartolome who retired.

Purisima immediately pledged to kick out misfits in the organization if they will not mend their ways.

He also vowed to continue some of the programs of his predecessor and introduce reforms to better serve the public.

Purisima said that defining the role of each policeman would lead to a more effective teamwork in the national police.

“To solve more crimes, arrest more criminals and put them behind bars, we have to have teamwork and cooperation among the different units, among the different stations,” he said.

“To those who are involved in irregularities, it is better if you quit the force now,” Purisima said in his speech after taking over the command of the national police from Bartolome.

Purisima, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class 81, is a known buddy of the President, being a member of the Presidential Security Group during the term of former president Corazon “Cory” Aquino.

He vowed that under his leadership, the PNP will be guided by the straight path policy espoused by the President.

President Aquino challenged Purisima to ensure that the coming 2013 midterm elections will be peaceful and orderly.

“Ang hangad natin, magsilbing bantayog ng dangal at integridad ang buong kapulisan at matagumpay ninyong mapanatili ang kapayapaan at katahimikan, lalo na sa darating na halalan.
[Our aim is for the police to serve as a pillar of honor and integrity, and that you may maintain peace and order, especially in the upcoming elections],” Aquino said during the change of command rites at Camp Crame.

“Ito nga marahil ang unang hamon sa inyong bagong liderato. Umaasa ang taumbayan na maitataguyod natin ang kaayusan mula sa kasagsagan ng kampanya hanggang maidaos ang halalan. [This will be the first challenge to your leadership. The people is hoping that you will be able to uphold order from the campaign season until the end of the elections],” the President added.

Aquino said that he has full trust and confidence in Purisima’s ability to reform the police service.

Purisima held key posts prior to his appointment as PNP chief, including director of the National Capital Region Police Office and police director of Central Luzon.

He was also the provincial police director of Pangasinan from 2005 to 2007.