By Glen Jacob Jose

The Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) has welcomed its 30 new female police trainees. 
 
ACG chief Brig, Gen. Joel Doria led the welcoming ceremony held last Friday, October 14 and was witnessed by their family and friends. 
 
“If somebody told you that police training is easy and bliss; believe me, they are wrong. For sure there will be homesickness, fatigue, hunger, thirst, the feeling of isolation, pressure and other things that will eventually accumulate into something that will either make the Basic Recruit Course take its toll from you or make you more resistant and able to pull through,” Doria said in a statement on Sunday. 
 
“So, should you start feeling wrong to the point that you will come to think about quitting, be kind enough to yourself, to take a pause, breathe, reflect, and remember why you started,” he added.
 
The Police Trainees will also undergo a six-month Public Safety Basic Recruitment Course (PSBRC) Training in Camp Vicente Lim, Calamba, Laguna followed by another six months of Field Training Exercises before being reintegrated back to PNP-ACG. 
 
Also on Friday, PNP Deputy Chief for Administration, Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, administered the oath of office to an all-female group of 150 recruits of the Police Community Affairs and Development Group (PCAD) in ceremonies held in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
 
According to acting PCAD Director, Col. Patrick Joseph G. Allan, the historic placement of the all-female group in a National Support Unit is proof that the PNP puts a high premium on their qualities as women, and values their relevance as effective community organizers and communicators.
 
The recruits will be subsequently turned over to the National Police Training Institute in Camp Vicente Lim, Calamba City, Laguna for the six-month mandatory basic training, and another six months for the Public Safety Field Training Program.
 
After completing the training course, the newly appointed patrol officers will be assigned to the different Regional Police Community Affairs and Development Units across the country where they are expected to act as PCAD operators and strengthen police-community relations.