The Marikina City police bagged the best station title for 2008, besting 36 others in the National Capital Region Police Office.

Supt. Sotero Ramos, station commander, received the award from President Arroyo yesterday at Camp Crame headquarters in Quezon City.

Ramos expressed satisfaction over his 300-strong unit?s efforts in curbing crime across 16 villages in the city.

?Aside from the diligent action of all Marikina policemen, the local government?s support in the police force led us to be on top of our colleagues,? he said.

The criteria specified the station?s Unit Performance Evaluation Rating and implementation of special projects and programs, Ramos said.

Earlier, the Marikina police underwent capacity-building training on community policing, instructor and supervisor development, and crime scene processing after being chosen by the Crame hierarchy to pilot the Model Police Station scheme.

Support from Mayor Marides Fernando included the full implementation of the ordinance on close circuit television camera to be installed by banks and financial establishments such as pawnshops, money changers and lending firms to deter crimes.

?Criminal groups are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their wrongdoings and CCTVs could help the police in solving these robberies,? Ramos said. Gigi Mu?oz David