"If you cannot see where you are going, ask someone who has been there before. " -J Loren Norris

19 Cadets designated in stations around National Capital Region were accompanied by PLTCOL ARIEL S BAIT, NCRPO CAP Supervisor, to render a courtesy call to the NCRPO Director. However, the courtesy call was rescheduled due to the unexpected visit of DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos.

PLTCOL BAIT then took the opportunity to talk with the cadets regarding some queries raised by the cadets for their CAP- Station Immersion compliances. PLTCOL BAIT also reminded the cadets to familiarize the Quad concept of PNP and told them to be extra careful during the conduct of activities.

This simple act of mentoring allows the mentor and the mentee to connect and learn from an individual with a lot of knowledge and experience in the field. [1] He helped us in ways that made us grow our skills, make sound and timely decisions and gain a new perspective on what our life path will be. We are lucky enough to experience this guidance. Learning from the experience of others is undoubtedly the most significant lesson taught by our former Commandant of Cadets, PBGEN Willie Cayat, that we do not need to make the same mistake and should learn from the experiences of others, for it may be costly to experience it by yourself.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED TO BE A POSITIVE MENTOR:

• Lead by example: Show the underclassmen what it means to be responsible, respectful, and hardworking. Demonstrate the values you hope to instill in them.

• Be approachable: Encourage the underclassmen to come to you with any questions or concerns. Create a safe and welcoming environment where they feel comfortable talking to you.

• Listen actively: Listen to what the underclassmen say and show genuine interest in their lives. This will help to build trust and respect.

• Offer guidance: Use your own experiences and knowledge to advise and support the underclassmen. Help them navigate their challenges and encourage them to make positive choices.

• Be positive: Provide encouragement and support to the underclassmen, even when things get tough. Celebrate their successes and help them to see the positive in every situation.

For me, mentoring is essential to us cadets because it provides us with guidance and support from experienced police officers. Mentors can help cadets navigate the challenges of police work and provide insight into the realities of the job.

In addition to that, mentors can serve as role models for us cadets, providing examples of professionalism, ethics, and leadership. They can demonstrate how to handle challenging situations with integrity and professionalism. Further, it can improve the morale of PNPA cadets, providing them with a sense of belonging and support. This can be especially important during the rigorous and challenging training period at the Academy.

REFERENCES:

If you cannot see where you are going, ask someone who has been there before | by Zoya Haroon | Medium [1]What is the purpose of mentoring programs?: Together mentoring software. RSS. (n.d.). Retrieved February 16, 2023, from https://www.togetherplatform.com/blog/what-is-the-purpose-of-mentoring