By Leonardo Micua
The Dagupan City Police Office (DCPO) has a new acting police director in the person of P/Colonel Arnold Solomon, who took over the position from P/Colonel Orly Pagaduan, following a change-of-command ceremony presided over by Police Region Director, Brig. General Dindo Reyes on January 26.
The turnover of command between the two police officers took place at the DCPO headquarters in Poblacion Oeste, Dagupan City, witnessed by Mayor Belen Fernandez, Vice Mayor Bryan Kua, Councilors Jose Netu Tamayo and Karlos Reyna, City Legal Officer Aurora Valle, Local Government Operations Officer Royelota Rosario, Pangasinan Police Provincial Director P/ Colonel Arbell Mercullo , and other officers of the DCPO and Pangasinan PNP.
Pagaduan assumed command as DCPO director on October 2, 2025, few weeks after the creation of the DCPO as Type C city police office by virtue of a resolution of the National Police Commission chaired by Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla.
Mayor Fernandez, who was the guest of honor and speaker, commended Colonel Pagaduan for his splendid performance in his short tenure as acting DCPO director, and expressed full support to the new DCPO leadership in the person of Colonel Solomon.
In welcoming Solomon, Fernandez emphasized the importance of strong partnership between the local government and the police force to ensure the safety of the Dagupenos.
In his address during the turnover of command between the two officers, Brig. General Reyes commended Colonel Pagaduan for his dedicated service as DCPO acting director and urged the incoming leadership of Solomon to maintain the momentum in the city’s fight against crime and in maintaining peace and order.
For his part, Solomon vowed the continue all the good works initiated by his predecessor and spelled out peace and order strategies to further enhance the peace and ordere situation in Dagupan.
The turnover ceremony was also witnessed by NAPOLCOM City and Ptovincial Officer Atty. Phillip Raymundo Rivera, Dr. A shop Vasandani, Pastor Rodrigo Ulpindo.