THE Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team) has authorized the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) to issue citations to traffic violators.This, after the police officers in Mandaue City attended a refresher course on traffic violations and how to issue a citation on Feb. 17, 2021, based on the recommendation of PCol. Jonathan Abella, city director of the MCPO.
Edwin Jumao-as, executive director of Team, told SunStar Cebu that police officers from the six police stations in Mandaue City took the refresher course.
With this, Jumao-as said Team has authorized police officers to issue citations to traffic violators, particularly those who commit illegal parking.
He said the purpose of this is to augment the forces in apprehending the traffic violators in Mandaue City.
This will also be in line with the road clearing operations since illegally parked vehicles are the top road obstruction in Mandaue City.
He said they needed this reinforcement from the MCPO since they lack personnel to focus on apprehending these violators.
The MCPO can automatically issue a citation to a traffic violator if there is no Team personnel present at the scene, said Jumao-as.
He said that mostly at checkpoints, police officers apprehend drivers without licenses and vehicle registration.
From January to February 2021, they apprehended 36 motorcycle drivers without vehicle registration and 15 without a driver’s license.
They also apprehended one taxi and two private vehicles without registration.
The police officers started issuing citations on Feb. 22.
Since the operation began, Jumao-as said 20 violators had gone to their office and paid their fines. (KFD)