Lawmaker eyes regulation of police checkpoints

A lawmaker has proposed a bill that seeks to regulate police checkpoints in conjunction with ongoing police operations. 

Per Senate Bill (SB) 1977, police officers manning the checkpoint must show “due courtesy” to “motorists, traders, and commuters” during the said checkstop. 

Additionally, the aforementioned proposal filed by Senator Raffy Tulfo mandates police officers conducting the vehicle inspection to “greet the people subject to inspection, extend an apology for the inconvenience, appeal for understanding, and state the reasons for the operation.” 

Further, the proposed law aims to limit the inspection of vehicles (including motorcycles) at checktops to a visual search. On that note, occupants — which pertain to the driver, rider, and passengers — are not subjected to a physical or body search. 

SB 1977 also states that police personnel assigned to checkpoints “shall not mulct, extort, or harass drivers, passengers, and traders.”

All police officers on duty at checkstops must have completed training on checkpoint management, maintenance, or operation as well as on human relations. 

Should the proposed act be enacted into law, police personnel found in violation of the provision of the bill shall be punished with the corresponding penalty prescribed by the Revised Penal Code in addition to any administrative sanction that may be prescribed by the Revised Penal Code including any administrative sanction that may be prescribed by law.

Photos from Raffy Tulfo Facebook page and Ruben Manahan IV

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