une 8, 2011 NAPOLCOM sets new guidelines for lateral entrants in the police service In its unrelenting effort

to continuously ensure that only the best and most qualified individuals are admitted in the police service, the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) recently issued NAPOLCOM Memorandum Circular No. 2011-005 amending the prescribed sequential procedures in the processing of lateral entry applicants in the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the guidelines on probationary period as provided for under the NAPOLCOM Memorandum Circular No. 2008-006. According to NAPOLCOM Chairman Jesse M. Robredo, the new memorandum was issued after the Commission found the need to amend NAPOLCOM MC No. 2008-006 in order to attune it with recent developments and address the current issues at hand and to ensure the appointment of the best and most qualified lateral entry applicants. NAPOLCOM Vice-Chairman and Executive Officer Eduardo U. Escueta said that the proposed amendments are intended to ensure the entry of physically and mentally fit lateral entrants, expedite the resolution of cases involving termination of officer on probationary period, and save resources on the part of the PNP. One of the salient provisions of the revised memorandum is the prescribed sequential procedure in the processing of applicants for lateral entry. The procedure will start with the Psychological and/or Neuro-Psychiatric Test to exclude applicants who may be suffering from any mental disorder. Afterwards are the physical and medical examination; character background investigation; drug test; physical agility test; final interview; and the final deliberation and selection of highly qualified candidates for appointment. Section 33 of Republic Act No. 6975 (PNP Law) provides that all original appointments of commissioned officers in the PNP starts with the rank of police inspector (equivalent to lieutenant) to include those with highly technical qualifications, namely, dentists, optometrists, nurses, engineers and graduates of forensic sciences. Doctors of medicine, members of the Philippine Bar, chaplains and psychologists are qualified for appointment to the rank of police senior inspector (equivalent to captain) in the PNP technical service offices. The new MC also provides guidelines on the termination of service of a PNP lateral entrant for unsatisfactory conduct of performance while under probationary period. Termination of service maybe initiated by the appropriate Regional Director, Police Regional Office (PRO) or Director, National Support Unit (NSU) based on the investigation/official report of the case against any PNP member or upon a verified complaint of any person accompanied with sworn statements and documents in support thereof. The case shall be referred to the designated Termination Hearing Officer (THO) at the PNP National Headquarters, PRO or NSU for review and Summary Termination Proceedings. The THO concerned shall render its findings

and recommendations within ten (10) days upon receipt of the case folder and submit a recommendation to the Chief, PNP based on the merits of the case.

June 7, 2011 NAPOLCOM seats mayors as head of ad hoc body to screen police recruits in their locality In an effort to ensure the entry of highly qualified individuals into the police service and to strengthen the human resource capability of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) recently issued Memorandum Circular No. 2011-007 which authorizes Mayors to head the ad hoc body that conducts initial screening of police recruits in their locality. According to NAPOLCOM Chairman Jesse M. Robredo, the new memorandum circular empowers all City/Municipal Mayors to fully exercise their mandated authority to recommend from a list of eligibles previously screened by the peace and order council the appointment of new members of the PNP to be assigned to their respective cities or municipalities. The new MC, which amends Section IV (C) of Memorandum Circular No. 2007-009 prescribing the guidelines in the recruitment and selection process at the city and municipal levels, gives the local chief executives a free hand to oversee the recruitment process in their community; thus, ensuring that only local applicants will be considered in the recruitment process, Robredo said. NAPOLCOM Vice-Chairman and Executive Officer Eduardo U. Escueta said that the new recruitment guidelines also prescribes for the inclusion in the ad hoc body of a Peace and Order Council member and a woman representative from a non-government organization in compliance with the gender and development (GAD) program of the government. The Deputy City Director, Deputy Chief of Police or PNP City/Municipal Police Station Administrative Officer shall serve as the Secretariat who shall publish the list of applicants in at least five (5) public places and through the local media to encourage the public to report any information relative to the worthiness of the applicant to become a law enforcer in their community, Escueta said. Under the new memorandum, applicants are required to submit additional documents to include copy of two (2) valid IDs with picture, signature and address and certificate of good moral character issued by the applicants college or university. Other mandatory requirements are the following: duly accomplished CSC Form 212; birth certificate authenticated by NSO; report of rating authenticated by the issuing authority; two (2) pcs. 2x2 black and white picture with the applicants name; transcript of scholastic records and diploma; clearances from Barangay, Local Police Station, RTC/MTC and NBI; and medical certificate issued by the local health officer.

In another Resolution, the NAPOLCOM granted the Chief, PNP authority to recruit 8,734 Police Officer 1 under the PNP attrition recruitment program for the first semester of CY 2011. The total quota of 8,734 PO1s shall be distributed to the City/Municipal Police Stations of the 17 Police Regional Offices (PRO) nationwide, as follows: PRO I - 417; PRO II - 334; PRO III 713; PRO IV-A - 681; PRO IV-B - 202; PRO V - 485; PRO VI - 636; PRO VII - 530; PRO VIII - 450; PRO IX - 347; PRO X - 411; PRO XI - 433; PRO XII - 376; PRO XIII - 257; PRO CAR 302; PRO ARMM - 530; and NCRPO - 1,630. The new distribution of the recruitment quota was based on the number of PNP uniformed personnel who were attrited for reasons of retirement, death, dropped from the rolls, separation, dismissal and resignation from the service in the Police Regional Offices. The present recruitment program intends to augment personnel strength in the Police Regional Offices and enhance the police visibility program of the PNP, Escueta concluded.