POLICE PROFESSIONALISM AND MORALITY: A PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE...
POLICE PROFESSIONALISM AND MORALITY: A PHILIPPINE
NATIONAL POLICE REVITALIZATION GUIDE
THRISLYN B CELOY-SAGPAEY
SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF OPEN UNIVERSITY
BENGUET STATE UNIVERSITY, LA TRINIDAD,
BENGUET IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE DEGREE
MASTER IN HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
APRIL 2012
i
BenguetStateUniversity
Open University
La Trinidad, Benguet 2601
Tel. (074)309-2353
www.bsu.edu.ph
STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP
This is to certify that the study is original and was undertaken
solely in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Master in Human Resource Development
at the Open University, Benguet State
UniversityLa Trinidad, Benguet.
It does not contain any work published elsewhere
except in parts where reference is made.
THRISLYN B CELOY-SAGPAEY
Name and Signature of Student
Date: _______________
ii
Contribution No: MHRD 2012-027-135
Republic of the Philippines
BENGUET STATE UNIVERSITY
La Trinidad, Benguet
OPEN UNIVERSITY
This
thesis
hereto
attached,
entitled
POLICE
PROFESSIONALISM AND MORALITY: A PHILIPPINE NATIONAL
POLICE REVITALIZATION GUIDE, prepared and submitted by
THRISLYN B CELOY-SAGPAEY in partial fulfilment of the
requirements for the degree MASTER IN HUMAN RESOURCE
DEVELOPMENT, is hereby accepted.
CESARINA A. LANDISAN, MHRD
Member
Date Signed: ____________
PSSUPT FROILAN DG PEREZ
Member
Date Signed: ____________
LEONILA R. SITO, Ph.D.
Adviser/Chairperson
Date Signed: ____________
LITA MOLITAS-COLTING, Ph.D.
Director
Date Signed: ___________
iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
God so loves the researcher. He was always there particularly
during the formulation of this book. The Holy Spirit undeniably inspires
and enlightens and to Him she gives her profoundest gratitude above
all.
She likewise thanks all the civilian and policemen/women
respondents of this study, for without them, this study could not have
come to reality;
Her adviser, Dr. Leonila R. Sito, for her commitment and
priceless assistance from the beginning of this work until its
completion;
Her statistician, Mr. Oliver Paculan, for his helpful bits of advice
and dedication in the statistical analysis of data;
Dr. Lita M. Colting, Ms. Cesarina A. Landisan and Ms. Analyn B.
Garcilian, for their valuable contributions, encouragements and
support;
Her Battalion Commander, Police Senior Superintendent Froilan
De Guzman Perez, for his ever understanding and support;
Her comrades in the service, Police Superintendent Richard
Bacani Verceles, Police Superintendent Mark Danglait Pespes, and
Police Senior Inspector Ceasar Dangatan Sab-it, for their constructive
inputs and encouragements. Melchor W Octaviano for his assistance
in the preparation of the flyers and calendars and to the personnel of
iv
the Regional Public Safety Company, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Maneuver
Companies of the Regional Public Safety Battalion for the photographs
placed in the sample calendar.
Ms. Janet A. Lee for helping in the distribution of questionnaires,
Police Senior Inspector Divina Cosi Mencio and Ms. Avegale Canipas
for their exceptional assistance and friendship;
Her ever loving mother, Apesa, brothers; John, Florencio, Wilton
and Denver and sisters; Florena and Lorma and their respective
families for all their endless support and most especially their love and
prayers;
Her husband, Ferdinand and her two greatest inspirations in life-
Shea and Frizz who unwaveringly support her in all her undertakings
and for bearing with her during her difficult times as she was
accomplishing this endeavour,
Her relatives, friends, colleagues in the service and everyone
else whom she did not mention who made this study authentic.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY, THE GREATEST LAW-GIVER AND
TEACHER, THE BLESSED HOPE AND THE SUPREME PROVIDER!
To every peacekeeper of the land, this book is dedicated to you.
THRISLYN B CELOY-SAGPAEY
v
ABSTRACT
SAGPAEY, THRISLYN C. April 2012.Police Professionalism
and Morality: A Philippine National Police Revitalization Guide.
Benguet State University, Open University, La Trinidad, Benguet,
Philippines.
Adviser: Leonila R.Sito, Ph.D.
Professionalism and morality are integral part of police
image.The study delved into the perception of the community and the
police along the PNP uniformed personnel’simage on professionalism
and morality. It determined how the community’s perception differed
according to their role in the community being students, professionals
and laymen. It established the differences on the perception of Roman
Catholics and Protestants and between male and female respondents.
The study verified the sources of perception towards the police;
determined what perceptions do the uniformed personnel have towards
themselves according to their rank and years in service and
distinguished the community’s perception with that of the uniformed
personnel. Structured questionnaire was used to gather the necessary
data. Permission was taken from the heads of offices and academes
where the questionnaires were administered for the professionals and
students while, the questionnaires for the laymen were administered in
their places of work and in their residences. Statistical analysis was
done utilizing the various statistical tools.
vi
The community in general regardless of their religion and sex
approved that the uniformed personnel adhere to the standards of their
profession and are morally upright. The students have a higher regard
towards the police. The main sources of perception are the media,
personal observation, documentaries, social, public officials, the police
themselves and personal experience with the police.
Policemen and women agree that they are indeed committed to
their profession and are morally principled. Regardless of their ranks
and years in service, the police concur that they adhere to their
profession and are morally upright. The uniformed personnel regard
themselves to be significantly more professional and moral than the
community does.
+
vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Title Page ................................................................................... i
Statement of Authorship ………………………………………….. ii
Approval Sheet ........................................................................ iii
Acknowledgement .................................................................. iv
Abstract .................................................................................... vi
Table of Contents ................................................................... viii
List of Tables ............................................................................ ix
List of Figure ............................................................................. xiii
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................
1
Background of the Study ………………………………...
1
Statement of the Problem …......................................... 5
Conceptual Framework …............................................. 6
Hypotheses of the Study …............................................ 18
METHODOLOGY …................................................................. 19
Research Design ............................................................ 19
Population and Locale of the Study ................................ 19
Data Collection Instruments .......................................... 21
Data Collection Procedure ............................................ 22
Treatment of Data ......................................................... 23
viii
Page
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ................................................. 26
Perception of the Community Towards the
PNP Uniformed Personnel Along Police
Professionalism and Morality ........................................ 26
The Community’s perception Towards
the PNP Uniformed Personnel ....................................... 34
Sources of Perception Towards the PNP
Uniformed personnel ........................................................ 42
Perceptions of PNP Uniformed personnel
Towards Themselves Along Professionalism
and Morality ...................................................................... 48
Perception of Policemen ................................................... 53
Comparative Perception of Police
Professionalism and Morality ……………………………………… 58
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS....... 67
Summary .......................................................................... 67
Conclusions ..................................................................... 69
Recommendations .......................................................... 70
LITERATURE CITED ................................................................. 73
APPENDICES
A. Letters to heads of offices …………………………... 76
B. Letter to RD, PRO-COR .......................................... 80
C. Letter to respondents ……………............................. 81
D. Questionnaire for civilian respondents ..................... 82
E. Questionnaire for police respondents …………….... 85
ix
Page
F. Sample Flyer ........................................................... 88
G. Sample of a PNP calendar ........................................ 89
H. Project Proposal ....................................................... 90
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH ....................................................... 95
x
LIST OF TABLES
Table No. Page
1
Respondents of the study …………………………. 20
2
Level of perception of the community
towards the PNP uniformed personnel …………..
27
3
Level of perception of the community based
on their roles …………………………………………
35
4
Level of perception of male and female
respondents towards police professionalism
and morality …………………………………………
39
5
Level of perception of Roman Catholics and
Protestants towards police professionalism
and morality …………………………………………
41
6
Sources of information about PNP personnel …..
43
7
Self-perception of PNP personnel along
professionalism and morality …………………….. 49
8
Level of Perception of policemen on
professionalism and morality according to
their rank ……………………………………………..
54
9
Level of perception of policemen on
professionalism and morality according
to the years in service ……………………………….
56
10
Level of perception of policemen on
professionalism and morality according to
years in service using correlation …………………… 58
11
Level of perception of the community and
police on professionalism and morality ……………. 59
12
Comparison of professionalism and morality
as rated by the community and police
respondents ………………………………………….
66
xi
LIST OF FIGURE
Figure No.
Page
1
Paradigm of the study …………………….. 6
xii
1
INTRODUCTION
Policemen and women belong to the most active force of
professionals in the Philippines. They belong to the Philippine National
Police (PNP), the largest government agency in the country with more
than 140,000 personnel. Perception of the public regarding the police
tends more towards the negative scale and it is affecting the image of the
PNP. This investigation aims to objectively verify the views that the
community as well as the members of the police force have on the
uniformed personnel.
Background of the Study
The Philippine National Police is the country’s premier agency
involved in law enforcement, arrest of criminals, and the maintenance of
peace and order. The citizenry are the beneficiaries of police service;
nevertheless, the people had been criticizing the PNP due to many
incidents involving the members of the organization. Historically, the
People’s Revolution of 1986 saw the birth of the 1987 Constitution that
included a provision on the Philippine National Police which was to be
“national in scope and civilian in character.”
To further intensify the PNP to become a highly efficient and
competent police force, Republic Act No. 8551 known as the “PNP Reform
2
and Reorganization Act of 1998” was enacted on February 17, 1998,
amending certain provisions of Republic Act No 6975 and allowed the
restructuring of the PNP to enable it to cope up and efficiently perform its
mandate - to enforce the law, prevent and control crimes, maintain peace
and order, and ensure public safety and internal security with the active
support of the community.
This step was in response to the increasing outcries to transform
the PNP “into a more responsive, effective and relevant police
organization.” Under this Act, the PNP is expected to be strengthened and
evolved into a highly efficient police force that is community and service-
oriented and fully accountable in the performance of its action. The PNP
vision so states: Imploring the aid of the Almighty, by 2030, we shall be a
highly capable, effective and credible police service working in partnership
with a responsive community towards the attainment of a safer place to
live, work, and do business. Its philosophy is service, honor and justice
and the core values are Maka Diyos, Makabayan, Makatao, and
Makakalikasan.
Section 2 of the PNP Declaration of Policy of the Ethical Doctrine
provides that:
1. I believe in God, the Supreme Being, the Great Provider, and the
Creator of all men and everything dear to me. In return, I can do no less
3
than love Him above all by obeying His word, seek His guidance in the
performance of my sworn duties and honor Him at all times.
2. I believe that respect for authority is a duty. I respect and uphold
the Constitution, the laws of the land and the applicable rules and
regulations. I recognize the legitimacy and authority of the leadership, and
obey legal orders of my superior officers.
3. I believe in selfless love and service to people. Towards this end,
I commit myself to the service of my fellowmen over and above my
personal interest.
4. I believe in the sanctity of marriage and family life. I shall set the
example of decency and morality, shall have high regard for family life and
value of marital fidelity.
5. I believe in the responsible dominion and stewardship over
material things. I shall inhibit myself from extravagance and ostentatious
display of material things. I shall respect private and public properties and
prevent others from destroying them. I shall help protect the environment
and conserve nature to maintain ecological balance.
6. I believe in the wisdom of truthfulness. I must be trustworthy and
I shall uphold the truth at all times.
Given these duties, values, principles and code, many of the PNP
personnel do not level up to the expectations of the community.
There
4
are many unfavorable impressions on the PNP such as graft and
corruption, abuse of authority, mulcting in the street and market places,
other forms of extortion, protection rackets, coddling of hoodlums and
criminals, planting of evidence, solicitation from persons under
investigation, and the list goes on. Then President Estrada refer to them
as the hoodlums in uniform.
On the other hand, the citizens have vital roles to play. Primarily,
they have to ask themselves if their perceptions of the police are accurate,
or are these views strongly influenced by the perceptions of others such
as the media. The community has to take steps in correcting the police
officers by reporting the illegal activities to the proper authorities.
Likewise, the citizens could help in the attainment of a safe place to live in
by supporting the police in their drive to preempt criminal activities in their
area. Being cognizant that crime prevention and its solution is a strategic
partnership between the police force and the community and working
hand-in-hand with the police to help in the fight against crimes is
realizable.
The Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-COR) had been vigilant
in keeping its police force be at its best in serving the people; in
suppressing crimes, protecting government and private properties and
arresting the perpetrators. For its commendable performance, said office
5
had been awarded as the Best Police Regional Office of the Philippines in
2006.
Determining the perception of the police by the different sectors of
the society could help the PNP to check their personnel and its programs
to improve its image. The result of this study could also be useful in
making or amending policies and the development of strategies to further
improve the police service needed by the community.
In the light of the foregoing, this study ascertains the perceptions of
the public in relation to the PNP’s professionalism and morality. The study
also aims to know the self-perception of the PNP uniformed personnel
with regard to their professionalism and morality.
Statement of the Problem
1. What are the perceptions of the community towards PNP
uniformed personnel along: police professionalism, and police morality?
2. How do the community’s perceptions towards the PNP uniformed
personnel differ according to their:
a. role
b. gender, and
c. religion?
3. What are the sources of the perceptions towards policemen?
6
4. What perceptions do PNP uniformed personnel have towards
themselves along:
a. police professionalism, and
b. morality?
5. In relation to the policemen’s leveling up to their profession, how
do their perceptions differ according to their:
a. rank and
b. years in service
6. How do the perceptions of the community compare with that of
the PNP uniformed personnel in terms of:
a. police professionalism, and
b. police morality?
Conceptual Framework
The paradigm of the study is presented in Figure 1. The
independent variable comprises the Philippine National Police’s sense of
professionalism and morality.
7
Independent Variables
Dependent Variables
- Community and self-
The Philippine National
Police Uniformed
perceptions towards
Personnel:
professionalism and
morality of the PNP
- Professionalism
uniformed personnel
-
morality
- Community’s perceptions
according to their role, sex
and religion
- Sources of community’s
perception
- PNP’s self-perception
according to their rank and
years in service
Moderate Variables
Members of the community’s
a. role
b. gender
c. religion
PNP Uniformed personnel’s
a. rank
b. years in service
Fig 1. Paradigm of the Study
8
Perceptions are reality for the individuals and groups who hold
them. Perceptions are seen as truth, whether or not they are truth (Shusta,
et al. 1995). As the primary concepts of this study’s independent
variables, the perceptions about professionalism and morality are
discussed.
In 1995, Shusta et al. stated that image is not a matter of illusion or
mere public manipulation of appearances. We play many roles in the
course of life – male or female, married or single, child or parent, student
or mentor. However, concern in this study is specifically upon vocational
roles in terms of the criminal justice system and the changing images
projected by its practitioners. As the police see themselves, they project
an image to the public, and citizens respond to that image.
Various factors play a role in how a person gives attributes to other
people’s behavior. Apparently, the view of the world, past experiences
with particular person or situation and awareness of the behavior play a
vital role. Other factors also affect the interpretation as well, and there are
two vital errors or mistakes one tends to make when assigning attributes.
First is the fundamental attribution error, which is the tendency to
overestimate the internal and underestimate the external factors when
elucidating the behaviors of others. This may be a result of the tendency
9
to pay extra attention to the situation rather than the individual and it is
especially true when one knows little about the other person.
Second is the self-serving bias, where one tends to failures to
external attribute. When one is promoted, most feel that the success is
due to hard work, intelligence, dedication and similar internal factors
(Aronson 1992).
Likewise, social categorization can account for the interesting
findings. Social categorization is one of the mental shortcuts used in
person perception. In this process, a person categorizes people into
different groups based on common characteristics. Sometimes this
process occurs consciously, but mainly, social categorizations take place
automatically and unconsciously. Age, gender, occupation and race are
the most common groupings people use in social categorization (Bargh, et
al., 1996).
Social categorization has both positive and negative aspects. One
strong point is that it permits people to make judgments very speedily.
Rationally, one simply does not have the time to know each other more.
The problem with social categorization is that it can direct to errors as well
as typecasting.
Interacting with citizens constitute an important part of a police
officer’s daily activities. Many aspects of these interactions have the
10
potential for influencing how the police and citizens perceive and evaluate
each other. More citizens often bring to the interaction an array of
attitudes and preconceived notions about the police and their conduct that
sometimes are inaccurate. There is a paucity of information regarding
specific dimensions of the police. Citizen communication that enhances or
impedes police efficiency adversely affects the way citizens feel about the
police. Research has shown that citizens who have negative contacts with
the police, as compared to those who do not, have more negative
attitudes toward the police. Citizens’ attitude toward the police appears
most affected by actual contact with uniformed officers in an official or
semi-official capacity (White, Cox and Basehart, 1994).
On the other hand, Hamilton and Zanna (1972), as cited by Myers
(2002) stressed that people seem to assign greater weight or importance
to information regarding negative characteristics than to information
concerning positive ones. Impressions are influenced by the initial
dispositions to evaluate others in a positive or negative manner. These
dispositions seem to exist prior to the receipt of any information about
other persons, and in a sense reflect tendencies brought to the first
meetings with people.
Professionalism means approaching an activity, such as one’s
occupation or career, with a sense of dedication and expertise. A
11
professional is a committed high performer, possesses integrity and
demonstrates competence- regardless of vocation or profession in which
one is engaged. A professional is also concerned with doing an effective
job or rendering an effective service; developing one’s skill level and
career; ensuring ethical and sensitive behavior in one’s self and other
organizational members; and capitalizing on diversity in people and
organizations. Whether writing a report, conducting an investigation or an
interview, or commanding a police action, a professional peace officer
does it consistently well. Further, his or her performance observes the
code of ethics expected of a public employee (Shusta, et al. 1995).
A police professional is one who is properly educated and public
service-oriented; one whose behavior and conduct on the job is
appropriate and ethical, avoiding clear conflict of interests; one who
respects the dignity of humanity of everyone contacted in the course of
his/her work, attempting to treat all fairly and with equal justice; one who is
culturally sensitive to the differences and potential of others; one who is
aware of the impact of agency culture on the professional behavior of
officers; and one who is a learner concerned about personal and career
development for both one’s self and others (Shusta, et al. 1995).
Professionalism and morality are hardly separable. Professionalism
implies having more than technical skills and refers to the moral
12
contributions that professionals make in a complex, democratic society-the
ethic of the calling. The ethical person is perceived as someone who has
courage and integrity, is willing to resist corruption and unprincipled
people by upholding humanity, justice, and civility. Such a peace officer
tries to be loyal to his or her own conscience and avoids unprofessional
behavior. Similarly, Obrera (2001) pointed out that commitment,
competence, and principle orientation are the indicators of
professionalism.
In an Opinion column of the Manila Times (September 28, 2008), it
pointed out that the professionalism of the PNP, along with modernization,
ought to be the second badge of the career police officer. The challenge
of professionalism requires a renewal in values and attitudes, a
transformation in character and sense of vision. In his speech during the
celebration of PNP Day, then President Fidel Ramos, observed that many
policemen regard their work as temporary and a stepping –stone to crime.
The involvement of may police superintendents and police officers –
active, retired or dismissed from the service - attests to his insightful
observation.
Morality is the conformity of man’s conduct, that is, his free
volitional acts, to the rational nature of man considered in itself and in all
its relations. The true standard and sanction of morality is the Divine will
13
of God as expressed in the eternal and unchangeable natural moral law
and in supernatural revelation (Kelly, 1965).
Gilligan (1982) noted that moral orientation on justice was more
prevalent on boys because of their attachment relations to their mother,
and subsequent masculine identity formation entailed that boys separate
from that relationship and individualized themselves from the mother. For
boys, this separation also heightens their awareness of the difference in
power relations between themselves and the adult, and hence engenders
an intense set of concerns over inequalities. On the contrary, girls,
because of their continued attachment to their mothers, are not as keenly
aware of such inequalities, and are, hence, less concerned with fairness
as an issue.
The dependent variables in this study include the perceptions
towards the PNP personnel along the dimensions of professionalism and
morality; the differences in said perceptions along the role, sex, and
religion of lay respondents, the PNP personnel’s self-perception and when
comparing their ranks and years in service.
The moderating variables are the selected characteristics of the
community’s which are role, sex and religion. Role in the community refers
to the part or function of the respondent in the community. In this
research, it is classified as students- these are the high school and college
14
students; the professionals are those working with the government or
private offices who are engaged in their learned vocations, and the laymen
referring to members of the community who are either storekeepers, utility
workers, security guards, farmers, businessman and drivers. This study is
interested to find out if there is a significant difference on their perception
towards the uniformed personnel of the PNP according to their role in the
community.
The second moderating variable is the gender of the respondent
which is either male or female. This study wants to ascertain such effects
on the perception of a person towards another.
The third moderating variable is the religion of the respondents
which is either Roman Catholic or Protestant. This study determines if
religion influences someone’s perception towards an individual or group of
persons.
Two demographic variables related to the members of the
Philippine National Police are their rank and years in service. The rank
of policemen refers to the degree of official standing in the Philippine
National Police such as Police officers (Police Officer 1, Police officer 2,
Police Officer 3), Senior Police Officers (Senior Police officer 1, Senior
Police Officer 2, Senior Police officer 3, Senior Police Officer 4), Junior
Police Commissioned Office (Police Inspector, Police Senior Inspector,
15
Police Chief Inspector),and Senior Police Commissioned Officers (Police
Superintendent and Senior Police Superintendent).
The years in service is classified in this study into six: 1-5 years, 6-
10, 11-15, 16-20, 20-25 and 26 years and above.
This research aims to find if the ranks and length of service affect
their perception towards their uniformed co-servants in their organization.
The source of information that affects the perception of the
community is also considered to be very informative in this study. Surette
(1998) mentions that indeed, surveys of the public indicate that 95 percent
of the public consider the mass media as their main source of information
on crimes. Likewise, Shusta, et al (1995) stated that modern media has a
powerful influence on how the public perceives the police.
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are
intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast
media (also known as electronic media) transmits information
electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs,
DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles.
Alternatively, print media uses a physical object as a means of sending
information, such as newspaper, magazines, brochures, newsletters,
books, leaflets and pamphlets. Mobile phones, computers and Internet are
sometimes referred to as New-age Media.
16
In the 2000s, a classification called the "seven mass media"
became popular. They are: 1. Print (books, pamphlets, newspapers,
magazines, etc.) from the late 15th century; 2. Recordings (gramophone
records, magnetic tapes, cassettes, cartridges, CDs, DVDs) from the late
19th century; 3. Cinema, from about 1900; 4. Radio, from about 1910; 5.
Television, from about 1950; 6. Internet, from about 1990; and 7. Mobile
phones, from about 2000. Whatever the entertainment media shows, it is
the opposite of what is true. In every subject category – crimes, criminals,
crime fighters, the investigation of crimes, arrests, the processing and
disposition of cases – the entertainment media present a world of crime
and justice that is not found in reality. Their wildly inaccurate and
inevitably fragmentary images provide a distorted reflection of crime within
society and an equally distorted reflection of the criminal justice system’s
response to crime. (Surette, 1998).
Interacting with citizens constitute an important part of a police
officer’s daily activities. Many aspects of these interactions have the
potential for influencing how the police and citizens perceive and evaluate
each other’s. There is a paucity of information regarding specific
dimensions of the police. Citizen communication that enhances or
impedes police efficiency adversely affects the way citizens feel about the
police. Citizens’ attitudes toward the police appear most affected by actual
17
contact with uniformed officers in an official or semi-official capacity
(White, Cox and Basehart, 1994).
Myers (2002) cited Rosebaum and Levin, (1969) and Driskell and
Mullen (1990) who pointed out that information from reliable or highly
credible sources is given greater weight than information from less reliable
sources and that higher status of people tend to have more impact to
others respectively.
Trojanowicz and Bucqueroux (1990) mentioned that the
personalized picture of the police is the end result of their cumulative
exposure in real and reel life of the citizens – the officers they met, the
ones seen in the theater, and the ones learned from the news.
Determining the community’s perception towards the police by the
different sectors of the society could be considered by the PNP to check
their personnel to improve their image. The result of this study could also
be useful in making or amending policies and the development of
strategies to further bring back the trust and confidence of the community
towards the PNP. The result could also be used to identify the members
of the community who needs more information regarding police programs
as well as those who needs more police services and projects. This is
also important for the development of more programs for the students to
18
continually value and respect the police on a higher level, as they are the
hope of the next generation.
Hypotheses of the Study
1. There are no significant differences in the community’s
perception about the PNP uniformed personnel in terms of the
respondents:
a. role,
b. gender, and
c. religion.
2. There are no significant differences in the PNP uniformed
personnel’s perception on how they level up to their profession when
grouped according to their:
a. rank, and
b. years in service.
3. There are no significant differences in the perceptions of the
community and PNP uniformed personnel about PNP image.
19
METHODOLOGY
Research Design
This study is a comparative descriptive research as it attempted to
provide a picture about the current views of the community and PNP
themselves in terms of the latter’s professionalism and morality. It uses
the survey method to gather data through questionnaire.
Population and Locale of the Study
The study involved students, professionals and laymen within La
Trinidad, Benguet. It also encompassed the policemen and women
assigned with Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-COR). Said office
covers the six provinces and one chartered city of the region: Abra,
Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mt. Province.
PRO-COR has 3,874 (as of October 2011) policemen and women
detailed with the different provinces, Baguio City and the regional
headquarters. There were 357 policemen and women or 9.21% who were
respondents of this study. On the other hand, there were 507 student,
professional and laymen respondents.
20
Table 1. The respondents of the study
Roles Frequency Percentage
___________________________________________________________
Policemen/women 357
41.32
Professionals 144 16.67
Laymen 179 20.72
Students 184 21.29
___________________________________________________________
Total
864
100.00
The professional, non-professional and student respondents came
from the following institutions/organizations:
Baguio-Tomay Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association
Benguet Provincial Capitol Employees
Benguet State University
Buyagan Operators and Drivers Association
Cordillera Career Development College
Department of Agrarian Reform, Benguet Provincial Office
Department of Public Works and Highways
La Trinidad Municipal Office
Land Bank of the Philippines
Land Transportation Office
21
National Irrigation Administration-CAR
Police Regional Office - Cordillera
Sunrise Agricultural Supply
Others from the various sectors of the society such as store
owners, farmers, security guards, and housewives
The study was conducted from June 2011 to October 2011.
Data Collection Instruments
The questionnaire was constructed based from PNP’s mission and
vision, philosophy, police officer’s creed, policy on Ethical Doctrine, moral
and core values, and Code of Ethics. The questionnaire was used to
gather the needed data and information regarding the relevant
demographic profile of respondents and the perception of the police by the
student-respondents, professionals, laymen and the police themselves.
The said questionnaire was divided into two parts. Part I, the
needed personal information about the respondents; Part II gathered data
and information about the study which specifically dealt on the perceptions
of the police by the students, professionals, laymen and the police.
The responses in Part II of the questionnaire used the following 5-
point scale:
4
- Strongly Agree
22
3
- Agree
2
- Disagree
1
- Strongly Disagree
Likewise, Part III of the questionnaire was answered with a 5-point
scale of frequency:
4
- Almost Always
3
- Often
2
- Seldom
1
- Almost Never
A similar questionnaire was prepared for the PNP uniformed
personnel, but their rank and number of years in service were considered.
Documentary analysis of related programs to the study was carried out by
the researcher. The study considered looking into some government and
private documents and records to serve as secondary sources of data.
A pilot test was administered to the police, professionals, laymen,
high school and college students to assess if the questionnaires were
totally clear and understood by them.
Data Collection Procedure
The researcher secured permits from the Police Regional Office-
Cordillera Regional Director, the Provincial Governor, the Municipal
Mayor, heads of the government agencies, and schools where the
23
questionnaires were administered to conduct the research in their
respective offices and schools. Upon approval of the request, the
questionnaires were personally administered in the different schools
during class hours so that it was answered by the respondents and were
retrieved immediately. The answers were collated, tallied, analyzed and
interpreted.
For the laymen, the questionnaires were personally administered in
their offices, their place of work or business and in their homes and were
retrieved later.
For the professionals and the policemen, the questionnaires were
administered in their offices then retrieved after a given time.
Treatment of Data
The data gathered from the respondents of the study were
subjected to statistical treatment. For systematic flow of data analysis, the
following statistical tools were employed:
1. Frequency Counts: This was used to tabulate the responses of the
respondents in the survey questionnaire;
2. Percentage: This was used to determine and describe the
distribution of respondents;
% = X1 x 100
X total
24
3. Weighted Mean: This was used to determine the average
responses of respondents;
Weighted Mean
Where:
X – rating or score
w – weight or number of respondents
4. Analysis of Variance: This was used to determine the
significance of differences on the perception of the respondents according
to their profile; specifically using the t-test.
The formula for the one-way ANOVA F-test statistic is
F = explained variance
Unexplained variance
Or
F = between-group variability
Within-group variability
The "explained variance", or "between-group variability" is
where
denotes the sample mean in the ith group, ni is the number of
observations in the ith group, and denotes the overall mean of the data.
The "unexplained variance", or "within-group variability" is
25
where Yij is the jth observation in the ith out of K groups and N is the overall
sample
size.
This
F-statistic
follows
the F-
distribution with K − 1, N −K degrees of freedom under the null hypothesis.
The statistic is large if the between-group variability is large relative to the
within-group variability, which is unlikely to happen if the population
means of the groups all have the same value.
5. t-Test: This was used to determine differences in mean scores
of two groups particularly if there is a significant difference on the
perception of the public and PNP personnel.
where
Here
is the grand standard deviation (or pooled standard
deviation), 1 = group one, 2 = group two
6. Post hoc test was applied when the computed F value was significant.
The 0.05 level of confidence was the basis in the interpretation of
statistical indices.
26
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
This section presents the analysis of the outcome of the study from
the responses of professionals, laymen, students and the PNP uniformed
personnel. It aims to establish the perception of the community and the
police in general towards police professionalism and morality.
Perception of the Community Towards the PNP
Uniformed Personnel Along Police
Professionalism and Morality
The community has varying perceptions towards the police along
professionalism and morality. Some would appreciate the police and
some do not. This study aimed to establish if the community agrees that
the police are considered to be professional and morally upright or not.
Table 1 focuses on the perception of the community towards PNP
uniformed personnel along police professionalism and morality. It shows
that the community generally agrees that the policemen adhere to the
expectations of their profession as showed by a weighted mean of 2.91.
On morality, statistics show that the community also agrees that the
policemen measures up to their expectations with a mean of 2.76. A more
in-depth discussion is presented subsequently.
27
Table 2. Level of perception of the community towards the PNP
Uniformed Personnel
WEIGHTED ADJECTIVAL
PERCEPTIONS
MEAN
RATING
Professionalism
2.91
Agree
Enforcement of laws
3.22
Agree
Service-oriented
3.00
Agree
Responsible
2.98
Agree
Not abusing authority
2.52
Agree
Not criminal coddlers
2.69
Agree
Morality
2.76
Agree
Respect for marriage
2.56
Agree
Good stewards
2.79
Agree
Courteous
2.87
Agree
Not extortionists
2.58
Agree
Morally upright
2.52
Agree
__________________________________________________________
Overall Mean
2.85
Legend:
Extent
Statistical
Adjectival Rating
4
3.51 - 4.00
Strongly Agree
3
2.51 - 3.50
Agree
2 1.51 - 2.50
Disagree
1
1.00 - 1.50
Strongly Disagree
The community in general has a positive regard of the PNP men.
They see them to be indeed adhering to their professions’ code. They
enforce the law, service oriented and responsible. They are regarded to
uphold that the civilians are above them and they do not give special
28
treatment or protection to those who violate the laws, they enforce the law
without fear or favor.
The findings show that indeed the PNP men and women perform
their occupation or career with a sense of dedication and expertise. A
professional is a committed high performer, possesses integrity and
demonstrates competence- regardless of vocation or profession in which
one is engaged. This finding concurs/agrees with Shusta, et al, (1995)
that a professional is concerned doing an effective job or rendering an
effective service.
Likewise, the results of the study prove that the community
considers the PNP to adhere to the provisions of the Civil Service
Commission. In a similar vein, to discern the perception of the community
towards the PNP uniformed personnel, a question was posted by the
Philstar.com, “How much do you trust your police force?” Participation
came in from various text senders and Manuel Canlas from Pampanga
communicated that:
Each citizen should have trust in the police institution and its men in
uniform because they are our protectors against lawless elements and our
rescuers in times of need. I agree that our police ranks are tainted by some bad
eggs, but not the whole force is affected. I believe that a lot of them are stil
ready to serve the citizenry. We shall be their watchdogs and we shouldn’t let
them get away with corrupt practices. Let us show respect towards those who
deserve it and report those who are abusive. If we distrust them, who can we
trust? The NPA, MILF, MNLF, Abu Sayyaf or other groups who pretend to be
protectors of the masses?
29
It is a well-shared information that the Philippine National Police
had been experiencing an all-low rating in the past years. The citizenry
had been pointing fingers to policemen as cohorts or even principals in the
commission of crimes. However, in a study of Asia–Pacific Centre for
Research (ACRE) Inc., the National Level Overall Performance Index
(Approval Rating for the PNP) has risen dramatically from 59.7% in 2008
to 67.44% and 68.25% in 2009 and 2010 respectively.
Likewise, in a related survey conducted by ACRE just after the
May 10, 2010 national and local elections revealed that 70.72% or seven
out of 10 Filipinos were satisfied with the performance of the PNP,
representing an increase of satisfied Filipinos as compared to the result of
similar survey where PNP got 68.53%. Likewise, a survey by the
Philippine Information Agency conducted on February 11-12, 2011,
disclosed that 72% of Filipinos feel safe in their community. This general
opinion is shared among local officials, religious and youth sectors. Only
three percent of the respondents find themselves living in “very unsafe”
communities such as in Basilan and Sulu provinces, and 16% more in
Abra and Kalinga provinces who consider their communities as “unsafe”.
In 2008, the Asia Pacific Center for Research, Inc. (ACRE, Inc.)
together with the PNP conducted a survey entitled “Study on the
Performance of and Attitudes Toward the PNP.” The survey disclosed that
30
the five attributes stand out as those that citizens look for from police
officers and these are: mapagkatiwalaan, makadiyos, mabilis mag-
responde, makatao, at may respeto sa batas. On the other hand, the four
attributes that stands out as negative attributes which police officers
should rid off are the following: nangungurakot, abusado, sangkot sa
gawaing illegal, and mayabang”
The findings of this study are explained by the fact that the PNP
has been finding strategies to improve its services to the citizenry, to
restore the public trust and confidence of the people and to bring them
closer to the community. In 2005, the Integrated Transformation Program
(ITP) was formally launched to transform the PNP into a more capable,
effective and credible police organization. The ITP is the roadmap of the
PNP for its long-term and long-lasting reforms and endeavors to resolve
organizational dysfunctions and enhance the quality of police services,
strengthen law enforcement competencies, and enhance the welfare and
benefits of police personnel and dependents.
On July 9, 2009, a memorandum was issued by then Executive
Secretary Eduardo Ermita, mandating the PNP together with other five
national government agencies to participate in the Millennium Challenge
Corporation program requiring the installation of Performance Governance
System (PGS). This PGS gives much on private-public sector
31
partnership. It is cognizant of the citizen’s propositions and their own
governance programs that can contribute towards the quest of national
strategic priorities. With this PGS, the stakeholders could come closer to
the PNP as they were encouraged to help the PNP identify long-term
goals. In relation to the PGS, the Chief PNP, Police Director General
Nicanor A Bartolome declared:
We hope that at the end of each performance measurement
period, we can report to the Filipino people that we have
significantly moved towards achieving the goals of a transformed
organization so that each and every police officer can proudly say,
Pulis Ako, Pulis Nyo Po.
The PNP is also closely linked with the community through the Peace
and Order Councils (National Peace and Order Council, Regional Peace
and Order Council, and Provincial Peace and Order Council). In these
councils, the PNP is a member organization and higher ranking policemen
are officers of these councils. During the New Year’s call message of then
Chief, PNP, Police Director General Raul M. Bacalzo, he stated that:
There is one area in which we can exercise more
leadership and initiative. I refer to the Peace and Order Councils
(POC) which are keys to strengthening the overall security and
safety down the line. We must be persevering and pro-active in
“pushing for a strong, active and functioning POC in our areas of
responsibility. A strong and PNP-catalyzed POC translates to a
stronger PNP on the ground.”
Another strategy used by the PNP to make their programs known is
through the PNP hours which are aired in various television channels and
32
radio stations overall the country. This is the time allotted for the police to
talk on its programs for the people to know what the organization is doing
for the people.
The PNP also has many programs to bring the people closer to the
police particularly on police community relations such as inter-agency
networking and linkages, participation in sports, socio-cultural and
religious events, support to community projects, complaint assistance
and referrals and others. Other community assistance being performed by
the police are relief operations, livelihood development, medical and
dental outreach and assisting during disasters. Face to face interaction
involves the following: lectures, symposia, seminars, ugnayan sa
barangay or barangay pulong-pulong, feeding programs, pulis ko, titser
ko, environmental protection (tree planting, clean and green) other
school-based and church-based activities and others.
In the study of Pascua in 2005, he pointed out that to achieve a
better and more effective measure for crime prevention is through regular
conduct or interaction with the community either through informal or
friendly communication; that is through barangay pulong-pulong in order to
have a better and harmonious relationship with its constituents and to win
further their hearts and minds and to regain the trust and confidence of the
people.
33
In his speech, PRO-COR Regional Director, Police Chief
Superintendent Benjamin B. Magalong, mentioned that policemen in the
Cordillera region are responsible and hard-working people. He related that
the lady Mayor of Isabela City in Basilan Province where the PRO-COR
contingent served for six months commended the troop for a job well
done. Likewise, she requested for the extension of their stay in the place,
as the people of Basilan experienced that the PRO-COR policemen are
responsible, hardworking and maintained the peace and order in the area.
Along the community’s perception of police morality, they also
agree that the professionals in question are generally morally upright
(M=2.76). Morality is the conformity of man’s conduct, that is, his free
volitional acts, to the rational nature of man considered in itself and in all
its relations (Kelly, 1965).
Result of the study showed that the community agrees that the
police have respect for marriage. They are courteous, do not extort, are
good stewards of properties and in general, they are disciplined.
One popular saying states that genuine change should begin in
one’s self. The PNP Integrated Transformation Program aims that each
and every police officer needs to respond to such change to achieve an
authentic transformation in the PNP. To sustain spiritual and moral
transformation, the PNP had been conducting the Purpose Driven Life
34
Seminars nationwide which is a part of its moral recovery program.
Leadership training based on spiritual and moral values are also being
conducted. The facilitators of these seminars and training are
stakeholders who come from the various denominations and private
organizations that are supportive to help in the transformation of the PNP.
Any denomination is welcomed by the PNP to share their faith to the
policemen and women.
According to the Canons of Police Ethics promulgated by the
International Association, the community and the service require the law
enforcement officer lead the life of a decent and honorable person. The
officer will so conduct his/her private life that the public will regard him/her
as an example of stability, fidelity and morality.
Overall, the community has positive perception towards the PNP
along their professionalism and morality.
The Community’s Perception Towards the
PNP Uniformed Personnel
To further give a picture about the perceptions, identified variables
of the respondents are the bases of comparison. This section gives a
detailed presentation.
35
Table 3. Level of perception of the community based on their roles
ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY
Student Professional Laymen F-value prob.
__________________________________________________________
Professionalism 3.03a 2.89b 2.80b 13.18** .000
Morality
2.92a 2.72b 2.62b 16.06** .000
Overall 2.99 2.82 2.73
ns – not significant * - significant ** - highly significant
According to Role in the Community
The roles of the respondents were categorized as students,
professionals and laymen in the community. As found in Table 3, there is
an overall agreement that the respondents have positive perception of the
PNP. It is found that such roles affect the respondents’ perception in
relation to the PNP uniformed personnel. Table 3 shows that the students
have the highest perception rating of the police in terms of professionalism
with a mean of 3.03. This is significantly higher than the perceptions of the
professionals and laymen.
Students. They have a higher regard for the PNP uniformed
personnel. This finding is possibly explained by the PNP’s program “Titser
ko, Pulis ko” which is school based. In the said program, policemen go to
the different schools to conduct information drive on the responsibilities of
the police towards the community and on various laws affecting them.
36
Basically, such laws are the Republic Act 9262 otherwise known as the
Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children, Republic Act 7610
known as Special Protection of Children Against Exploitation and Abuse,
Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972.
Other topics being discussed in schools are on crime prevention, rights
and responsibilities of the child, among others.
On the other hand, Trojanowicz and Bucqueroux (1990) asserted
that some of the children are told that police officers are friends, someone
whom you could turn to when in trouble. Other children were cautioned to
be good otherwise “the police will take you away.” Further, in terms of
morality, the students as well have the highest regard for the policemen
with a mean of 2.9170, which is highly significant as compared with the
perceptions of professionals and laymen.
Cops in the School is another PNP program which brings the police
closer to the students. This program involves the presence of policemen
and women within the vicinities of the schools, especially during the
opening of classes and other special occasions of the academe.
These programs do not only benefit the students but it is also
advantageous to the police as it gained the trust of the students to the
PNP uniformed personnel. It could also be a factor why some youth want
to be a police in the future as well as they like to have police friends. A
37
survey conducted by Asia Pacific Center for Research, Inc, on September
to October 2010, it showed that 38.3 percent of those who were surveyed
would like to be a police officer and 74.9 percent liked to have a cop for a
friend. The study involved 4,400 respondents from Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao.
In a related study of Bardes and Oldendick (2000), they pointed out
that as individuals’ age, they are more aware than ever of their own
interest and will express opinions that support those interests, and they
are probably more aware of changes in society that they do not approve or
share. There are two types of differences between members of different
age groups that can be identified as true generational effects. In other
words, a cohort of people who were born at a certain time demonstrates a
similarity of views or attachment that is related to events that took place
during the years in which they formed a particular perception.
Professionals and Laymen. Seemingly, higher mean scores are
observed from the professionals along professionalism and morality than
the laymen. While this is the case, the difference when the two were
statistically compared is not significant.
Professionals and laymen are the older respondents and they have
more encounters with the uniformed personnel, which provide them more
information about the uniformed men as compared with the students who
38
are younger and possibly have short of exposure about the PNP.
Likewise, the professionals and laymen could compare the Philippine
Constabulary and Integrated National Police and the PNP at present.
Further, professionals and laymen are more aware on the factual events in
the organization, thus they could understand the realities about the PNP.
The young citizens particularly the students looked up to the police
with high regard. This may indicate that the students who would become
policemen in the future would be ones who will adhere to the norms of
police life. The young generation could also be the ones who would
correct if there is no change in the perspective of the community towards
the police in the future, as they are idealistic people. The PNP then needs
to continue with their programs which made the young generation look up
to the police with good regard. The organization should also look into
other programs which could be implemented that could further intensify a
better viewpoint of the youth towards the PNP.
From the findings, the null hypothesis is not affirmed.
According to Gender
Table 4 presents the level of perception of the male and female
respondents towards police professionalism and morality.
39
Table 4. Level of perception of male and female respondents towards
police professionalism and morality
GENDER
Male
Female
t-value
prob.
__________________________________________________________
Professionalism
2.91
2.90 .167ns
.867
Morality
2.76
2.76 .106ns
.916
__________________________________________________________
Overall
2.87
2.84
ns – not significant * - significant
** - highly significant
Apparently, male respondents have a higher regard for the PNP
uniformed personnel when it comes to professionalism with a mean of
2.91. Females, on the other hand have a higher mean along morality with
2.76; however, the differences are not significant.
Regarding professionalism, why do males have higher regard
towards the PNP’s professionals? A police officer is regarded by other
people in the community especially when the police are in uniform and
armed. Male respondents have a higher regard to the uniformed
personnel on police professionalism because being a police officer is a job
that is so masculine in nature. It is also a profession where majority of the
personnel are males. In this connection, Broverman, et al. (1972) stated
that men are assumed to show such characteristics as aggressiveness,
40
competence and achievement-orientation. In this sense, somehow, the
male respondents were identifying with the police officers.
Female respondents seemed to look up towards police morality on
a higher level than their male counterpart possibly because they have
relatives, friends or know or met policemen who live a moral life as a
family man, or someone who considers the family as a sacred institution. It
could also be attributed to the reason that the respondents belong to the
same municipality or province where a policeman came from, thus they
have a high opinion on them. Another reason could be due to the locale of
the study where the respondents seriously regard morality as a principle in
life. Broverman, et al. 1972, as cited by Bardes and Oldendick (2000)
pointed out that women are generally assumed to possess such traits as
gentleness, tenderness, emotional expressiveness, very strong need for
security, not aggressive.
The findings therefore affirmed the null hypothesis.
According to Religion
The respondents’ religions were categorized into two: Roman
Catholic and Protestants. Their perceptions were compared and results
are presented in Table 5.
41
Table 5. Level of perception of Roman Catholics and Protestants towards
police professionalism and morality
RELIGION
Catholic
Protestant
t-value prob
Professionalism
2.94
2.87
1.609ns
.108
Morality
2.78
2.72
1.426ns
.154
__________________________________________________________
Overall
2.89
2.82
ns – not significant * - significant
** - highly significant
There are no significant differences in the perceptions of
respondents found according to their religion. However, interestingly,
Roman Catholics appear to have a higher esteem of the police in terms of
professionalism (2.94) and morality (2.78) as compared with the
perception of Protestants (2.87 and 2.72, respectively). This could be so
because the Protestants are less compromising of their expectations
towards the police.
Bardes and Oldendick (2000), explained that in the course of
studying the distribution of opinions among religious denomination,
research have found that affiliation with a religion is not a very good
predictor of opinion for many individuals. They also stated that Catholics
differ considerably from the protestant Evangelicals because their views
are considerably more liberal especially on social welfare issues. Leege’s
42
and Welch (1989), as cited by Bardes and Oldendick (2000) confirmed the
general trend for Catholics to be more liberal than the general public.
Statistical results affirmed the null hypothesis.
Sources of Perception Towards the
PNP Uniformed Personnel
The respondents were presented with eleven possible sources of
information where they developed their perceptions towards the PNP.
Table 6 proves that the respondents get information about PNP personnel
from various media.
The table shows that often, the community gets information about
PNP men and women from the media, personal observation,
documentaries, social (family, friends, officemates), public officials, the
policemen themselves and personal experience with the police.
The foremost source of perception is the media. Relatively, Surette
(1998) pointed out that indeed, surveys of the public indicate that up to 95
percent of the public consider the mass media as their main source of
information about crime. Bardes and Oldendick (2000) asserted that the
stories that people found most interesting were those with personal
relevance, those with human interest and those with societal importance.
Mass media in a developing country like the Philippines serves as a
multiplicity of purposes: it is a medium of news entertainment, the source
43
Table 6. Sources of perception about the PNP personnel
SOURCES WEIGHTED ADJECTIVAL RANK
MEAN RATING
Media
3.47
Often
1
Personal Experience with
2.65
Often
7
the police
Social (family, friends, officemates) 2.84
Often
4
Church
2.34
Seldom
10
School
2.48
Seldom
8
NGOs
2.36
Seldom
9
Policemen
2.69
Often
6
Inmates/Prisoners
2.04
Seldom
11
Personal Observation
3.14
Often
2
Public officials
2.70
Often
5
Documentaries
3.04
Often
3
___________________________________________________________
Legend:
Extent
Statistical Limits
Adjectival Rating
4
3.51 - 4.00
Almost Always
3
2.51 - 3.50
Often
2
1.51 - 2.50
Seldom
1
1.00 - 1.50
Almost Never
of information about the world, national and local events, and a means of
establishing mutual understanding. It is a social and cultural influence that
helps form attitudes, establish values and develop a climate for change
(Rosales 2001). The mass media is so powerful because of the fiction
that whatever is printed must be true. People believe what they read,
doubt what they hear and ignore what they are told. If the media says so,
it is generally believed to be so, no matter how dubious the story.
44
Mass media are mirrors which reflect the nature of society in which
they operate. They are mirrors not only in the sense that they report back
what is going out there (Regado, 2001). Mass media’s role in shaping
public opinion matters to a police organization because, ostensibly, these
are two of the powerful societal institutions which interact with each other
in the dynamic, often conflictual processes of democratization and
economic development and whose actions impact effectively on the other
(Baraquel, 2001).
It is a well-known fact that since time immemorial, the media was
already there to expose various issues in the community including what is
taking place in the PNP. Scores of events that transpired in the PNP have
been disclosed to the public and the media reveals more of the
wrongdoings of the police more than the good deeds that they have done.
In this connection, retired PNP Chief, Police Director General Raul M
Bacalzo, believed that the PNP has more good men than what has been
projected by the media, and this is because they are overshadowed by the
few who are incompetent or involved in corruption and abuse.
In the web site Philstar.com asked a question on “How much do
you trust your police force?” some of the following text views were
received:
Most policemen are decent people, but the rotten few get the media
mileage. – Seth Carranza, Catanduanes
45
There are rotten eggs and scalawags in the police force, but I stil trust
the organization. – Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City
Wholeheartedly, because even with a low salary, they risk their lives for
us. Bad eggs excluded! – Romeo Calubat, Masbate
There are undoubtedly many members of the police force that cannot be
trusted. But let us not look at the police only. In our country, there is an
increasing number of people unworthy of trust. And this is a reflection of the
same unworthiness of leadership in different sectoral levels in our society. It is
lamentable that our country has gone this low and the whole world looks at us
with derision. It’s just that police wrongdoing is publicly visible and can’t be
hidden from the media.
On the other hand, the media have also reported about the noble
cops - the brave, dedicated, decent, hardworking, diligent and honest
cops, however, these stories are overshadowed about stories on bad
cops - the rouge, extortionist, kidnappers, carnappers, protectors of illegal
gambling, among others. From time to time, police officers have been
accused for unscrupulous actions in solving crimes, like police abuse,
violation of human rights, harassment, etc., for missing, tampering or
planting evidence, and for not appropriately disposing confiscated
properties (like carnapped and luxury vehicles), for lying under oath to
profit convictions, etc.
Police works are often advertised as fiction or plain entertainment in
books, film and television shows that allege to present the actuality of
police work in an entertainment context. The entertainment media present
an extremely distorted view of the nature of police work, one that stresses
crime fighting, police violence, and individualism (Surette, 1998). Effective
46
law enforcement officers in the entertainment media are those who
eschew routine methods, often violating rules and laws, and take
exceptional measures to solve cases. Accordingly, private investigators
and amateur private citizens prove far more successful in solving
television crimes than in real police work. (Lichter and Lichter, 1983).
Data shows that the second source of perception of the
respondents is personal observation. Policemen render duty on a 24 hour
basis and seven days a week. In this way, the policemen are always
exposed to the scrutinizing public. Every move of the police is seen by the
community and it is easy for the public to comment on any policemen
whom they thought is doing right or wrong. With the publics’ experience
and witnessing of the law enforcers’ moves, their perceptions are shaped.
How people are treated by the uniformed personnel and the behavior they
tangibly see in a police-citizen encounter are factors that could determine
their opinions.
The third source of perception according to the study is
documentary. Documentaries are materials that give factual presentation
in artistic form, like the form of films. In line with this, there are various
documentary films being shown regarding the life of policemen. Likewise,
there are also documentaries shown in the television which affects the
perception of the community towards the policemen. One is the story of
47
SPO4 Jaime Santiago entitled: SPO4 Santiago: Sharpshooter; Santiago
is a recipient of many awards for his commitment and dedication to the
service.
Another documentary regarding a police is the movie entitled
“Target... Police General: Major General Alfredo Lim Story” which was
shown in 1990. The documentary was followed by another movie entitled,
Alfredo Lim: Batas ng Maynila in the year 1995.
The other sources of perception from which the respondents get
information about the PNP are Non-Government Organizations (NGOs),
church and prisoners or inmates, respectively. NGOs are not really
sources of perception towards the police because these offices usually
attend to their business and responsibilities. Unless the NGO is
connected with the PNP or concerned with gathering data regarding the
police, then said NGO could be a source of perception.
The church is the second to the last source of perception of the
respondents. Usually, the priest or pastor would not make the police as an
example during sermons. Priests and pastors are there to bring closer the
people to God and not to mar the image of other people the community.
Inmates or prisoners are as the least source of perception. More
likely when the relatives and friends of the inmates visit them, they would
48
talk more about family-related matters and not talk about the uniformed
personnel.
Perceptions of PNP Uniformed Personnel
Towards Themselves Along Professionalism and Morality
The affirmative facets of law enforcement profession are well
recognized to those who belong and have served. Policemen know their
duties and responsibilities as well the positive and negative points
attached to it. Majority of the members of the police force are exerting
effort to put the PNP in a better image. Officers in the higher echelon of
the PNP are studying various ways to improve the organization to achieve
the expectations of the community. Aronson (2000) pointed out that
psychologically one of the major goals of people is maintaining and
enhancing their view of themselves.
Table 7 shows the level of perception of policemen towards
themselves along professionalism and morality. Accordingly, police
perceived themselves at a slightly higher level on police professionalism
(3.50) than morality (3.43).
Police Professionalism
Police respondents indeed regard themselves to be committed to
their vocation. Entering the police service is not a straightforward task.
49
Table 7. Self-perception of PNP personnel
NUMBER OF WEIGHTED MEAN ADJECTIVAL
RESPONDENT RATING
Professionalism 357
3.50
Agree
Morality
357
3.43
Agree
Overall
357
3.44
___________________________________________________________
Legend:
Extent Statistical Limit Adjective Rating
4
3.51 – 4.00
Strongly Agree
3
2.51 – 3.50
Agree
2
1.51 – 2.50
Disagree
1
1.00 – 1.50
Strongly Disagree
The qualification to become a policeman is upgraded. Republic Act 8551,
otherwise known as the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998,
mandates that one basic requirement for an applicant to be appointed in
the PNP is a baccalaureate degree. In addition, an applicant must have
passed the board examination commensurate to his/her degree or must
possess other eligibilities such as the Police Officer Entrance examination
from the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM). Age is also a factor
in the screening, in which the applicant must be between the ages 21-30
years old. There are numerous applicants and they undergo a grueling
screening by the recruitment board. After the initial screening, the
50
applicants undergo agility test, medical and dental test, neuro-psychiatric
exam, drug test and finally the board interview.
Upon recruitment, the new policeman has to undergo six months
academic phase of the Public Safety Field Training Program (PSFTP)
followed by another six months field training in the areas of investigation,
traffic and patrol. After a year in a temporary status in the PNP service,
one undergoes a whole range of training, seminars and schoolings such
as on public relations, leadership, disaster management, administrative
matters and others. Aside from these, one could undergo specialty
courses on explosives ordnance disposal, forensics, investigation, traffic,
intelligence, finance, and counterinsurgency, Pekiti-Tirsia, Special
Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and Special Counterinsurgency Operations
Unit Training (SCOUT), among others. Likewise, there are mandatory
courses for the various levels in the police career such as Public Safety
Junior Leadership Course (PSJLC), Public Safety Senior Leadership
Course (PSSLC), Public Safety Officers Candidate Course (PSOCC),
Public Safety Basic Officers Course (PSOBC), Public Safety Officers
Advance Course PSOAC), Public Safety Officers Executive Course
(PSOSEC). Apart from these trainings, several policemen are also
graduates of master’s degrees as well as doctorate degrees. With all
these schoolings and training undergone by the police, they become
51
skilled and competent in the different aspects of police work. This
substantiates what Obrera (2001) pointed out that the PNP personnel
possess the commitment, competence, and are principled - the indicators
of professionalism. Likewise, it proves what Mayhill (1985) as cited by
Shusta, et. al. (1995) stated that professionals do not stop with graduation
from a school or program; such only begins the process for continuing
education. High-performing peace officers take responsibility for this.
Additionally, Mayhill asserted that for professionalism to grow in law
enforcement, he advocated not only greater technical skills training, but
higher educational attainments as well as the setting of goals for career
development.
Morality
Section 3 of the PNP Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical
Standards Manual states that on Morality, PNP members shall adhere to
high standard of morality and decency and shall set good example for
others to follow.
What may account for the police esteem on morality can arise as
well from the PNP Integrated Transformation Program (ITP) which aims to
enhance the image of the police and bring back its glory like in the olden
days. With this aim, there had been many modifications of police policies
made by the higher echelon. One is the disciplinary system wherein there
52
are various bodies that could prosecute the police such as the Internal
Affairs Service (IAS), National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM),
People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) and the Directorate for
Investigation and Detective Management. With the presence of these
various disciplinary bodies, it is installed in each PNP uniformed personnel
to stay away from trouble as much as he could to avoid prosecution. To be
suspended would mean the forfeiture of salary, bonuses and other
benefits and the other psychologically negative effects of suspension.
It is not denied that there are some policemen who are actually
involved in extra marital affairs and having children outside of wedlock.
Nevertheless, majority of the policemen believe that the family should not
be marred with the integration of a stranger, as it is a foundation that
should be kept pure. Likewise, some policemen are also involved in illegal
activities, however there are only few compared to the majority who are
living a decent and virtuous life. For the year 2011, records show that at
the Police Regional Office-Cordillera, there is only one uniformed
personnel who was administratively charged for immoral acts.
Policemen agree that they adhere to the code of professionalism
and morality as expected by the society. Results of this study contradict
the finding of Pilar (2000) that police officers are perceived to be corrupt,
relaxed, lousy, scalawags, corrupt, respected before, now no more,
53
regimented and authoritarian. On the other hand, the following were
perceived to be the positive characteristics of the police: guardian of
peace, protector of people, protector of human rights and protector of
peace and order. Another research of Pilar in the same year among the
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) elements revealed that the values
they are expecting that the ideal police should reflect are the following:
God-fearing, religiously guided by his devotion to God, so immoral acts
are avoided because if the police fears God, they would not sin and
therefore be good as police officers.
Perception of Policemen
Besides ascertaining the overall self-perception among the PNP
men and women, their perceptions were compared according to rank and
years in service.
Rank
As pointed earlier, the ranks were classified into four: Police
Officers (POs), Senior Police Officers (SPOs), Junior Police
Commissioned Officers (Jr. PCOs) and Senior Police Commissioned
Officers (Sr. PCOs). Table 8 presents the level of perception of policemen
on professionalism and morality.
54
Table 8. Level of perception of policemen on professionalism and morality
according to their rank
RANK
Sr. PCO Jr PCO Sr. PNCO PO F-value prob.
___________________________________________________________
Professionalism 3.35 3.49 3.52 3.52 1.74ns .158
Morality 3.29 3.38 3.47 3.49 2.16ns .092
___________________________________________________________
Overall 3.33 3.45 3.50 3.49
___________________________________________________________
ns – not significant * - significant ** - not significant
The overall finding yielded a non-significant t-value both for
professionalism and morality. This means that whether one is a Senior
Police Commissioned Officer (Police Senior Superintendents and Police
Superintendents), Junior Police Commissioned Officer (Police Chief
Inspectors, Police Senior Inspectors and Police Inspectors), Senior Police
Non-Commissioned Officer (Senior Police Officer 1 – 4) and a Police
Officer (Police Officers 1 – 3), the way they regarded themselves do not
differ.
The findings are contrary to that of Obrera (2001), who found that
Police Non-Commissioned Officers have a higher mean for commitment.
Obrera’s finding could be attributed to the fact that non-commissioned
police officers are working on field duty and often times exposed to
55
challenging situations which demand their services even beyond the call
of duty.
It can be gleaned from the study that apparently the younger
generation of policemen perceives that the PNP uniformed personnel to
be indeed committed to their profession and are morally principled as
compared to those who are longer in the service. The difference in the
mean scores however is not significant. The findings affirmed that the
hypothesis do not have significant differences.
Years in Service
The police respondents were classified arbitrarily according to their
years in service such as 1-5 years, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, 21-25 and 26
years and above. Table 9 shows the level of perception of policemen on
professionalism and morality according to the years in service.
Findings disclosed that the years in service do not affect the
perception of the police towards themselves for both professionalism and
morality.
Relatively, the study of Obrera (2001), disclosed that there was no
significant difference in the perceived level of commitment according to
length of service. This implies that length of service did not affect the
perceived level of commitment of the police personnel.
56
Table 9. Level of perception of policemen on professionalism and morality
according to the years in service
__________________________________________________________
YEARS IN SERVICE
1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-Above F- value
________________________________________________________________
Professionalism 3.56 3.53 3.47 3.50 3.50 3.44 .566ns
Morality 3.55 3.45 3.43 3.42 3.43 3.30 1.342ns
________________________________________________________________
ns – not significant * - significant ** - not significant
Young policemen or those who are new in the service give more value to
the PNP uniformed personnel because they saw the Philippine National
Police as a reputable and valued public service organization. Likewise,
the young policemen are high-spirited and idealistic individuals. They
esteem the police force with high regard as; they still have no point of
comparison due to their lack of exposure to the older policemen
particularly those involved in illegal activities. They also have a shorter
time in the organization thus; they could not yet perceive some of the
downbeat realities of police life. Moreover, the young policemen could
have been influenced by the professionally and morally principled older
policemen. Carter (1994) emphasized that generally speaking, police
officers expect higher standards of behavior from their peers than from
members of the general society.
The findings also disclosed that as policemen stay longer in the
service their regard for the uniformed personnel somehow dwindles. This
57
is so because they have had a wider exposure to the ins and outs of the
PNP, as well as a more extensive encounter with various positions and
responsibilities. Moreover, they have discerned the unconstructive issues
in the organization’s system which could not have transpired. They have
perceived that they were not involved in the planning of the organization’s
policies, as the PNP is a top to bottom kind of management. With these, it
causes disillusionment to the policemen who stayed longer in the service.
Correspondingly, policemen who were longer in the service also
experienced several kinds of temptations along their police career. The
police, usually the males are being assigned in various places far from
their families. In this instance, temptation is not remote from approaching
them which could be on financial matters and possibly infidelity.
On the other hand, this researcher was curious to treat the data at
hand for correlation. Using the Spearman Rank Correlation, it surfaced
that there exists a relationship between the length of service and the
perception of the respondents towards police professionalism and
morality. Findings are presented on Table 10.
In terms of police professionalism, it was found out that there is no
relationship of the length of service and the respondents’ perspective.
Conversely, there is a significant negative correlation when it comes to
police morality. It indicates that the uniformed personnel who are younger
58
Table 10. Level of perception of policemen on professionalism and
morality according to the years in service using correlation
PROFESSIONALISM MORALITY
___________________________________________________________
Years in Service
- 0.064ns
- .116*
___________________________________________________________
ns – not significant
* - significant ** - highly significant
Legend:
Value of r
Strength of Relationship
-1.0 to -0.5 or 1.0 to 0.5
Strong
-0.5 to -0.3 or 0.3 to 0.5
Moderate
-0.3 to 0.1 or 0.1 to 0.3
Weak
-0.1 to 0.2
none or very weak
in the service perceive that policemen are steadfast to their calling as law
enforcers and are ethical compared to the perception of policemen who
are longer in the service.
The findings have implications on the ethical behavior as one stays
longer in the service. Does it mean that policemen get to be scalawags
and become calloused to despicable behaviors, as they stay longer in the
service?
Comparative Perception of Police
Professionalism and Morality
Lastly, this researcher purported to ascertain how the community’s
perception as compared with that of the PNP personnel along the issues
on police professionalism and morality.
59
Table 11. Level of perception of the community and police on
professionalism and morality
GROUP
Civilian Police t-value prob.
Professionalism 2.91
3.50 19.78** .000
Morality
2.76 3.43
19.41** .000
___________________________________________________________
Overall
2.85 3.47 19.41** .000
___________________________________________________________
ns – not significant * - significant
** - highly significant
Psychologists remind us that the image we have of our role affects
not only our behavior but also the behavior of those to whom we project
this image (Shusta, et al, 1995). Table 11 shows that the community’s
perception towards the police on professionalism is significantly lower as
compared with the police. Similarly, in terms of morality, the civilians have
a lower regard on the police as when equated with the uniformed
personnel.
Accordingly, person perception can be influenced by a number of
factors including the characteristics of the person being observed and the
circumstances of the situation and personal characteristics of the one
observing. Some people form impressions of others very promptly with the
least information they have. Commonly, people base their impressions on
60
the roles and social norms expected from other people. Likewise, physical
cues play an important role in the formation of impressions. Relevance of
the information of people being observed is also significant in the
formation of impressions. Generally, people focus on the most obvious
points rather than taking note of the background information. The more
the unusual or observable the factor is, the more likely it will be focused
on.
In the light of perceptions on the PNP, reported untoward incidents
by the PNP remain more in the minds of the public. Unfortunately, when
they would have made good, the public would say it is a part of their job.
On Professionalism
The policemen and women significantly perceived themselves to be
consistent to the expectations of their profession, as they believe that they
are performing their duties and responsibilities in accordance to the
policies and what they are expected by the community to do. According to
Greenwald and Breckler (2000) as cited by Aronson (2000), the presented
self is usually too good to be true; the too good self is often genuinely
believed.
On the contrary, findings prove that the community opposes what
the policemen claim themselves to be, it is showed by the community’s
61
low esteem of the uniformed personnel which is much lower than how the
latter regarded themselves.
A similar finding was found by Galino (2002) in his study that along
law enforcement, police respondents perceive their role performance as
“very efficient”; on the other hand, the civilian respondents perceive the
role performance of the police along law enforcement as “mere efficient”.
Likewise, police respondents feel that the police perform their role along
peace and order maintenance to be “very efficient” however, the civilian
respondents consider the police as performing their role along peace and
order maintenance as “efficient”.
Lacson (1998) pointed out that the lack of professionalism among
police officers become a bottleneck in the effective enforcement of the
law. While it is true that only a small percentage of the PNP are
“scalawags”, one “scalawag” brings the entire PNP down.
Interacting with citizens constitute an important part of a police
officer’s daily activities. Many aspects of these interactions have the
potential for influencing how the police and citizens perceive and evaluate
each other. More citizens often bring to the interaction an array of
attitudes and preconceived notions about the police and their conduct that
sometimes are inaccurate. There is a paucity of information regarding
specific dimensions of the police. Citizen communication that enhances or
62
impedes police efficiency adversely affects the way citizens feel about the
police. Research has shown that citizens who have negative contacts with
the police, as compared to those who do not, have more negative
attitudes toward the police (White, Cox and Basehart, 1994).
One of the setbacks that caused the public to have a negative
perception toward the police is the rising number of crimes being
perpetrated in the community. People tend to believe that the higher the
crimes committed means the police are not doing their jobs to deter it.
According to one Opinion column of the Manila Times dated
September 28, 2008, it pointed that the professionalism of the PNP along
with modernization, ought to be the second badge of the career police
officer. The challenge of professionalism requires a renewal in values
and attitudes, a transformation in character and sense of vision. In a
speech during the celebration of PNP Day, then President Fidel Ramos,
observed that many policemen regard their work as temporary and a
stepping –stone to crime. The involvement of many police
superintendents and police officers – active, retired or dismissed from the
service - attests to his insightful observation.
The finding of this study implies that although the community
agrees that policemen are devoted to their calling and are morally
63
principled, nevertheless, the community regards the policemen on a lower
altitude as compared to how the policemen view themselves.
On Morality
Table 11 also points that the community’s perception towards
police morality is significantly lower as compared to that of the police. The
police rated themselves towering over the assessment that the community
appraised them. Aronson (2000) emphasized that in general, people rate
themselves more positively than others do, believing that they themselves
are “better than average”.
Baron and Byrne (1977) pointed out that once we have decided,
however rightly or wrongly-that another person possesses certain traits,
we often seem quite reluctant to alter these judgments.
This finding can be explained by the fact that the general public is a
heavy consumer of media publicity. The tri-media often features erring
policemen in their articles and TV shows which negatively affect the
perception of the community towards the law enforcers.
Sometimes, people tend to believe what they have heard
particularly from acquaintances even without proving it and without actual
encounter with the police. With this, their perception of the police is
already damaging making them aloof to the uniformed men. Asch (1946)
64
asserted that people seem to assign greater importance to the information
about others which were obtained first. Such primary effects seem to
explain why it is so hard to alter impressions of others once they are
formed, and why we often strive so hard to make a good impression on
other persons.
The conduct and general behavior of the PNP personnel were
given great attention. Expectations from all sectors of the land are high as
the police are daily seen on the streets every day and the PNP has the
greatest number of personnel as compared to all the other government
agencies in the Philippines. Evidently, if citizens feel that the police are
brutal, incompetent, or corrupt, then their perception towards the police
will always be at an all-time low rating.
In the assumption speech of then Chief, Philippine National Police,
Police General Raul M Bacalzo, “he stated that the police needs to revive
the virtues of discipline and courtesy, good manners and right conduct that
are the hallmarks of a public servant and essential to being good citizens.”
Likewise, August Vollmer, recognized as the Father of Police
Professionalism, pronounced that “the average citizen expects the police
officer to have the wisdom of Solomon, the courage of David, the strength
of Samson, the patience of Job, the leadership of Moses, the faith of
Daniel, the diplomacy of Lincoln, the tolerance of the Carpenter of
65
Nazareth, the kindness of the Good Samaritan, and finally, an intimate
knowledge of every branch of natural, biological, and social sciences. If he
possesses all these qualities, then, he might be a good policeman.”
As established by the result of the study, the null hypothesis that
there is no significant difference between the perception of the community
and uniformed personnel is affirmed.
The researcher was also interested to know if there is a difference
on the perception of the respondents on professionalism and morality as a
whole. Table 12 shows the comparison of professionalism and morality as
perceived by the community and police respondents.
Statistical analysis shows that the community and the police
significantly rated professionalism higher than morality. This is most likely
so because the uniformed men works in accordance with what is expected
of them as shown in the result of the study. Likewise, the study also
shows that morally, the community agrees that the uniformed personnel
measure up to their expectation. Morality is deemed a personal choice of
a person which could not totally affect the professional performance of the
police.
66
Table 12. Comparison of professionalism and morality as rated by the
community and police respondents
Professionalism
Morality
t-value prob.
Overall 3.15
3.04 11.80** 0.00
ns – not significant * - significant
** - highly significant
67
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
The study evaluated the community and the uniformed personnel’s
perception towards the PNP uniformed personnel along police
professionalism and morality. Specifically, it determined how the
community’s perceptions differ according to their role in the community
such as being students, professionals and laymen, according to their sex
and religion. The study also established the sources of perception towards
the police; determined what perceptions do the PNP uniformed personnel
have towards themselves; established the policemen’s perception towards
themselves according to their rank and years and service; and compared
the community’s perception with that of the PNP uniformed personnel.
The study was conducted in La Trinidad, Benguet. There were 357
policemen respondents, 144 professionals, and 184 students. The study
used a questionnaire that was pilot tested. The data were summarized,
tabulated and statistically analyzed using the frequency count, weighted
mean, percentages, t-test, and analysis of variance. Comparisons were
made at 0.5 level of significance.
The following are the significant findings of the study:
68
1. On the perception of the community towards the PNP uniformed
personnel, it was found out that the community approved that the
policemen adhere to the code of their profession and are morally upright.
2. The students significantly agreed that the PNP personnel were
dedicated to their profession and were morality principled than their adult
counterparts - the professionals and laypeople.
3. Men and women in the community equally said that PNP
uniformed personnel fair well in their profession and are moral.
4. The Roman Catholics and Protestants agreed that the
uniformed personnel were professional and were ethical.
5. Media, personal observation, documentaries, social (family,
friends, officemates), public officials and the police themselves were often
the sources of perception about the PNP personnel.
6. As established by the result of the study, it was found out that
the community’s perception towards the police was significantly different
from the perception of the police towards themselves.
7. Regardless of their rank, the PNP men and women agreed that
they consistently adhered to their profession and were moral.
8. Those who had stayed longer in the service did not perceive
themselves to be significantly more moral than the younger officers.
69
9. The PNP men and women regarded themselves to be
significantly more professional and moral than the community did.
Conclusions
Based on the results and findings, the following conclusions are
derived:
1. The community agrees that the policemen adhere to the code of
their profession when carrying out their duties and are morally upright.
2. Significant differences in the perception of police professionalism
and morality differ according to the role in the community.
3. The sex and religion of the community do not affect how they
perceive police professionalism and morality.
4. Information about the PNP men and women come from various
sources but the most influential source is the media.
5. There is a positive self-perception of the PNP personnel along
professionalism and morality.
6. The PNP personnel’s rank does not bear any significant
difference on their perception of professionalism and morality.
7. The self-perception of police professionalism and morality is not
influenced by years of service.
70
8. The status of the respondents - as member of the community or
PNP personnel influences their perception about police professionalism
and morality.
Recommendations
Based on the findings and conclusions, the researcher proposes
following recommendations:
1. To further enhance the image of the PNP, the media can help by
continuously publishing the accomplishments of the PNP personnel be it
great or small. This can be done through the crafting of broadcast
materials on the PNP programs to be aired on the TV screen (CD herein
attached).
2. There is a need to produce flyers regarding PNP programs to be
distributed to the public during school visits, lectures, symposia, medical
and dental outreach, ugnayan sa barangay, Inter-sports activities, PNP
foundation day and during socio-cultural and religious events (Example at
Appendix “F”) .
3. A PNP calendar should be distributed to the community to
inform the public of the various programs of the PNP which could possibly
help improve the image of the police (Example at Appendix “G”).
71
4. In order to address the problem on the negative image of the
PNP, more information drive on the PNP programs to the different sectors
of the society needs to be intensified to make the public aware of the
various PNP programs.
5. Imperative to the success of the PNP’s endeavor is the support
of the community. The present programs of the PNP on police community
relations such as ugnayan sa barangay, school visits, lectures, symposia,
medical and dental outreach, Inter-sports activities, and socio-cultural and
religious events needs to be strengthened.
6. The PNP is the biggest government organization however; the
police capabilities in terms of operations, investigation and intelligence
need to be enhanced which can help build the trust and confidence of the
public towards the PNP particularly the uniformed personnel. This can be
achieved through the availability of state-of-the art equipment in every
police station to be used in the prevention and solution of crimes.
7. A seminar for the policemen and their wives should be
conducted for the spouses of the police to better understand the people
they have married. This aims to strengthen the relationship of the police
and their spouses. A project proposal entitled “Seminar on Police Family
and Marriage” to be requested for funding is found on Appendix “H”.
72
8. Other studies may be conducted in other regions to ascertain if
the perception of the public towards the police is comparable with the
community’s perception in La Trinidad, Benguet, as well as include other
variables for comparison. This could be used as a basis in the
implementation or continuation of PNP programs to improve the image of
the police.
73
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Philippine National Police Ethics and Values Formation Manual. Quezon
City
Philippine National Police. The Legacy: PDG Jesus A Verzosa Tour of
Duty Report 2011. (5 and 7):71
Philippine National Police Journal. 3rd Qtr. 2011. Changing of the Guards
Page 22
Philippine National Police. PNP Patrol Plan 2030. Revalida Report.
October 2011
Philippine Civil Service. 1993. Employee Handbook. Civil Service
Commission.
Police Digest. 2011 The Official Newsletter of the Philippine National
Police. Page 9
PNP Integrated Transformation Program. Leaflet by the PNP Program
Management Office
REGADO, E. 2001. The Leadership Role of the Media, in Public
Safety Dimensions and Concerns. H. Lorenzo, and, A. Piga.
Editors. 2001. Public Safety: Dimensions and Concerns. Institute of
Strategic and International Studies.
75
ROSALES, R. 2001. The influence of media, in Public Safety
Dimensions and Concerns. H. Lorenzo, and, A. Piga. Editors. 2001.
Public Safety: Dimensions and Concerns. Institute of Strategic and
International Studies.
SANTIAGO:SHARPSHOOTER. http://video48.blogspot.com/2010/08/
spo4-santiago-sharpshooter-1996.html
SHUSTA,R, M. et al. 1995. Multicultural Law Enforcement Strategies for
Peacekeeping in a Diverse Society. Prentice-Hall Inc.
SURETTE,1998. http://www.theiacp.org/PoliceServices/Professional/
Assistance/ ThePublicImageofthePolice/tabid/198/Default.asp.
Accessed on November 1, 2011
The Chief’s Focus. Association of Chiefs of the Philippines, Inc. 3rd Issue
2009. Page 95
TROJANOWICX, R and B. BUCQUEROUX. 1990. Community Policing; A
Contemporary Perspective. Cincinnati, Ohio: Anderson Publishing
Company.
WHITE, M, T. COX and J. BASEHART. 1994. Theoretical considerations
of officer profanity and obscenity in formal contacts with citizens in,
Police Deviance. T. Barker and D. Carter (eds). Ohio: Anderson
Publishing Co.Pp -244.
Philippine National Police. http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=
Philippine National_Police#History. March 24, 2011.
The Public Image of the Police. www.theiacp.org/PoliceServices/Executive
Services/ProfessionalAssistance/ThePublicImageofhtePolice/tabid/
198/Default.asp. Accessed on October 30, 2011
The Media, the Public, and the Law Enforcement Community: Correcting
Misperceptions. http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/
Index.cfm?fuseaction=displayarch&article1828&issue. Accessed
on October 30, 2011
76
Appendix A
Letter to the Heads of Offices
FE082 Mamaga, Balili
La Trinidad, Benguet
June 27, 2011
HON. GREGORIO T ABALOS JR.
Municipal Mayor
La Trinidad, Benguet
Sir:
Greetings.
The undersigned is a Master in Human Resource Development student of
the BSU Open University and assigned with the Regional Public Safety
Battalion, Police Regional Office – Cordillera located at Camp Bado
Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet. Currently, I am conducting my Master’s
Thesis entitled “Police Professionalism and Morality: A Philippine National
Police Revitalization Guide”.
In this regard, may I respectfully request your approval for the
undersigned to administer questionnaires to some of your subordinates to
gather the data needed in my research?
Thank you.
Respectfully yours,
THRISLYN CELOY SAGPAEY
Noted by:
LEONILA R SITO
Adviser
77
FE082 Mamaga, Balili
La Trinidad, Benguet
June 27, 2011
HON. NESTOR B FONGWAN
Provincial Governor
Benguet Province
La Trinidad, Benguet
Sir:
Greetings.
The undersigned is a Master in Human Resource Development student of
the BSU Open University and assigned with the Regional Public Safety
Battalion, Police Regional Office – Cordillera located at Camp Bado
Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet. Currently, I am conducting my Master’s
Thesis entitled “Police Professionalism and Morality: A Philippine National
Police Revitalization Guide”.
In this regard, may I respectfully request your approval for the
undersigned to administer questionnaires to some of your subordinates to
gather the data needed in my research?
Thank you.
Respectfully yours,
THRISLYN CELOY SAGPAEY
Noted by:
LEONILA R SITO
Adviser
78
FE082 Mamaga, Balili
La Trinidad, Benguet
June 27, 2011
DR. ROGELIO COLTING
President
Benguet State University
La Trinidad, Benguet
Sir:
Greetings.
The undersigned is a MHRD student of the BSU Open University and
assigned with the Regional Public Safety Battalion, Police Regional Office
– Cordillera located at Camp Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet.
Currently, I am conducting my Master’s Thesis entitled “Police
Professionalism and Morality: A Philippine National Police Revitalization
Guide”.
In this regard, may I respectfully request your approval for the
undersigned to administer questionnaires to some of the high school and
college students, as well as your subordinates to gather the data needed
in my research?
Thank you.
Respectfully yours,
THRISLYN CELOY SAGPAEY
Noted by:
LEONILA R SITO
Adviser
79
FE082 Mamaga, Balili
La Trinidad, Benguet
June 27, 2011
ATTY. ROMEO G GUMPIC
OIC, President
Cordillera Career Development College
Buyagan, La Trinidad, Benguet
Sir:
Greetings.
The undersigned is a Master in Human Resource Development student of
the BSU Open University and assigned with the Regional Public Safety
Battalion, Police Regional Office – Cordillera located at Camp Bado
Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet. Currently, I am conducting my Master’s
Thesis entitled “Police Professionalism and Morality: A Philippine National
Police Revitalization Guide”.
In this regard, may I respectfully request your approval for the
undersigned to administer questionnaires to some of your high school and
college students, as well as your subordinates to gather the data needed
in my research?
Thank you.
Respectfully yours,
THRISLYN CELOY SAGPAEY
Noted by:
LEONILA R SITO
Adviser
81
Appendix C
Letter to the Respondents
FE082 Mamaga, Balili
La Trinidad, Benguet
June 27, 2011
Dear Respondents:
Greetings.
The undersigned is a Master in Human Resource Development student of
the BSU Open University and assigned with the Regional Public Safety
Battalion, Police Regional Office – Cordillera located at Camp Bado
Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet. Currently, I am conducting my Master’s
Thesis entitled “Police Professionalism and Morality: A Philippine National
Police Revitalization Guide”.
In this regard, may I respectfully request you to please answer every item?
Rest assured that your answers would be treated with utmost
confidentiality and for research purposes only.
Respectfully yours,
THRISLYN CELOY SAGPAEY
Noted by:
LEONILA R SITO
Adviser
82
Appendix D
Questionnaire for Civilian Respondents
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE
PART I. Personal Information
Name (optional): _______________________________ Sex__________
Religion: Roman Catholic ( ) Protestant ( ) Others ( )
Your role: Student ( ) Professional ( )
Other sectors in the community : Pls. specify: ____________
PART II. Research Study
Instruction: On the blank provided after each item, please put a check
mark ( ) on the column that best describes your honest perception of the
police.
Strongly Agree Disagree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
1. The policemen enforce the
laws of the land like preventing
and controlling crimes.
2. The policemen foster
teamwork among themselves.
3. The policemen are
determined to do their
assigned tasks.
4. The policemen are service-
oriented
5. The policemen enforce the
laws without fear or favor.
6. The policemen are to put
public interest above their own.
7. The policemen are
responsible.
8. The policemen are
industrious
83
9. The policemen are God-
fearing (maka Diyos).
10. The policemen are
humane (Makatao).
11. The policemen are
nationalistic (makabayan).
12. The policemen are
environmental- friendly
(makakalikasan).
13. The policemen respond
appropriately to the public.
14. The policemen are not
abusing their authority
15. The policemen are not
coddlers of criminals
16. The policemen are
physically fit and well-
groomed.
17. The policemen
follow/adhere to laws, rules
and orders
18. The policemen do their job
with intelligence
19. The policemen are reliable
in times of crisis
(disaster/calamities)
20. The policemen respect
marriage; they are faithful
in their relationship
21. The policemen value their
family life.
22. The policemen are good
stewards of material things.
23. The policemen are
truthful/trusted in their
dealings.
24. The Policemen are fair.
25. The policemen are sincere
in rendering their service.
26. The policemen are
courteous.
84
27. The policemen are
disciplined.
28. The policemen are not
extortionists
29. The policemen fight for
what is right
30. The policemen are morally
upright.
Part III.
Considering your answers in Part II, how did you come to think that the
PNP uniformed personnel are such?
Instruction: From what sources do you get your perception or views of the
police (whether these are positive or negative, correct or wrong). Please
put a check mark
( ) on the space provided to indicate your source of information.
Almost
Often Seldom
Almost
Always
Never
1. Media (TV, radio, print), etc
2. Personal experience with
the police
3. Social (family,
friends, Schoolmates, church
mates and officemates)
4. Church
5. School
6. Non-Government
Organizations (NGO’s)
7. Policemen themselves
8. Inmates/Prisoners
9. Personal observation
10. Public Officials
11. Documentaries/Reports
85
Appendix E
Questionnaire for Police Respondents
PART I. Personal Information
Name (optional): ________________________________ Sex: _______
Rank : PO ( ) SPO ( ) Junior PCO ( ) Senior PCO ( )
Years in the Service: ____________
PART II. Research Study
Instruction: On the blank provided after each item, please put a check
mark ( ) on the column that best describes your honest perception of the
police.
Strongly Agree Disagree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
1. The policemen enforce the
laws of the land like preventing
and controlling crimes.
2. The policemen foster
teamwork among themselves.
3. The policemen are
determined to do their
assigned tasks.
4. The policemen are service-
oriented
5. The policemen enforce the
laws without fear or favor.
6. The policemen are to put
public interest above their own.
7. The policemen are
responsible.
8. The policemen are
industrious
9. The policemen are God-
fearing (maka Diyos).
86
10. The policemen are
humane (Makatao).
11. The policemen are
nationalistic (makabayan).
12. The policemen are
environmental- friendly
(makakalikasan).
13. The policemen respond
appropriately to the public.
14. The policemen are not
abusing their authority
15. The policemen are not
coddlers of criminals
16. The policemen are
physically fit and well-
groomed.
17. The policemen
follow/adhere to laws, rules
and orders
18. The policemen do their job
with intelligence
19. The policemen are reliable
in times of crisis
(disaster/calamities)
20. The policemen respect
marriage; they are faithful
in their relationship
21. The policemen value their
family life.
22. The policemen are good
stewards of material things.
23. The policemen are
truthful/trusted in their
dealings.
24. The Policemen are fair.
25. The policemen are sincere
in rendering their service.
26. The policemen are
courteous.
27. The policemen are
disciplined.
87
28. The policemen are not
extortionists
29. The policemen fight for
what is right
30. The policemen are morally
upright.
Part III.
Considering your answers in Part II, how did you come to think that the
PNP uniformed personnel are such?
Instruction: From what sources do you get your perception or views of the
police (whether these are positive or negative, correct or wrong). Please
put a check mark
( ) on the space provided to indicate your source of information.
Almost
Often Seldom
Almost
Always
Never
1. Media (TV, radio, print), etc
2. Personal experience with
the police
3. Social (family,
friends, Schoolmates, church
mates and officemates)
4. Church
5. School
6. Non-Government
Organizations (NGO’s)
7. Policemen themselves
8. Inmates/Prisoners
9. Personal observation
10. Public Officials
11. Documentaries/Reports
88
Appendix F
Sample of a Flyer
89
Appendix G
Sample of a PNP calendar
90
Appendix H
PROJECT PROPOSAL
Seminar on Police Family and Marriage
Introduction
The family is the core unit of the society. It is an institution that can
be found anywhere. It is a group that exists everywhere. Undeniably, the
policeman/woman is part of this core unit. Likewise, policemen are
everywhere. People see them along the streets rendering their duties.
They serve the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Being a member of a society, the policemen have their own family –
a wife and child/children. Policemen need to be understood of their rights
and responsibilities particularly by the family.
Just like any other person, the police have an image to protect.
One wrong move of one policeman oftentimes is known by the community
thereby affecting their perceptions towards the other members of the
organization.
A recent study on the PNP uniformed personnel’s image on
professionalism and morality was conducted. The study showed that the
community regarded the police at a low level on the following points:
“respect for marriage, not abusing authority, not criminal coddlers, and not
extortionists”.
To improve the police image and to strengthen the relationship of
the police and his family, the wife/ husband needs to be informed about
whom they married – the PNP law enforcer. To achieve this, a seminar is
needed to be conducted for the wives/husbands of the law enforcers.
Objectives:
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the training, the participants would be able to:
a. understand the nature of the police and police work
91
b. have a better understanding on family and marriage
c. have a better relationship with one’s spouse
Methodology:
a. Lectures
b. Open forum
c. workshop
Administrative and Budgetary Requirements
Training Venue
Laptop
LCD
Training Kit
Notebooks - 48 pax x P10.00
=
P480.00
Ballpens
- 48 pax x P 7.00
=
336.00
Manila Paper 20 pcs x 5.00
=
100.00
Pentelpen
20 pcs x P60.00
= 1,200.00
Materials for icebreakers/openers
= 1,000.00
Meals
Snacks 48 pax x 20.00 x 4
=
960.00
6 fax x 20.00 x 4
= 120.00
Lunch 48 pax x 85.00 x 2
=
4,080.00
6 fax x 85.00 x 2
= 510.00
Honorarium for speakers 3 x P1,000.00 = 3,000.00
________
TOTAL P11,786.00
Training Schedule
The venue would be at Log Cabin, PRO-COR, La Trinidad
Date to be scheduled.
92
Coordinating Instructions
a. Regional Comptroller Division to fund the training.
b. Police Provincial Offices, Baguio City Police Office and
Regional Public Safety Battalion to send three uniformed
personnel each and their wives/husband to attend the training
c. RPHRDD to man the training.
Prepared by:
THRISLYN CELOY SAGPAEY
Police Senior Inspector
PCR Officer, RPSB
93
PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION
Day Time
Topic
Remarks
1st
8:00 –
(Registration)
Secretariat
Day
8:30
AM
8:31 -
Opening Program
Secretariat
9:00
AM
9-10
Police, who is he?
Speaker
AM
10-
10:20
Break
10:20 –
11:45
Speaker
AM
How Do I love my wife/husband?
11:45 –
1:00
Lunch break
PM
1:00 –
The Roller Coaster in a Marriage:
2:40
Talk About it
Speaker
2:40 –
3:00
Break
3:00 –
Workshop on “How could I show
Speaker
5:00
respect for my marriage and
AM
family?”
2nd
8:00 –
Recap of yesterday’s activities
Secretariat
Day
8:30
8:30-
10:30
Presentation of results of the
AM
workshop
10:30 –
10:50
Break
AM
10:50
– 11:50
The difference of the man and the
Speaker
AM
woman
11:50-
1:00
Break
PM
1:00 -
2:30
Police Stewardship
Speaker
PM
94
2:30 –
Limitations of Police Authority
Speaker
3:45
PM
3:45-
4:00
Break
PM
4:20 :
5:00
Closing ceremony
Secretariat
PM
95
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
The researcher is a native of Ca-ew, Cuba, Kapangan, Benguet,
but was raised in La Trinidad. She finished her elementary and secondary
education at the then Mountain State Agricultural College. Due to
financial constraint, she stopped her studies after graduating from the
secondary. She had worked on different menial jobs including being a
domestic helper at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates for three years and
seven months. The work experiences she had essentially coached her to
be a fighter in any kind of challenge in life. Being able to accrue some
amount for her college education, she enrolled Bachelor of Science in
Agriculture at the Benguet State University and graduated on March 1995,
and graduated Cum-laude. In June of the same year, she was employed
at the Department of Agriculture and worked for two years. On September
16, 1997, she achieved her high school dream to join the servants and
protectors of the people - the Philippine National Police. She belongs to
the Public Safety Basic Recruit Course, Batch 1997, Delta Company. As
a Police Non-Commissioned Officer (PNCO), she was assigned with the
Regional Intelligence Division for nine years and a year with the Baguio
City Police Intelligence Section. Desiring to better serve the community
by becoming a Police Commissioned Officer (PCO), she enrolled Bachelor
96
of Science in Criminology at La Salette University, Santiago City, through
the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency Accreditation Program
(ETEEAP) and graduated on April 7, 2008. In May of the same year, she
took the Criminology Board examination and was blessed and passed the
exam. She applied to become a Police Commissioned Officer via Lateral
Entry and was successful. Finally, she took her oath on September 1,
2008, as a Police Inspector. On August 24, 2009, she was assigned with
the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB), Police Regional Office-
Cordillera, as the Police Community Relations Officer up to the present.
Being a police officer, she had been conferred with various awards and
commendations from the service and the civilian sector. On December
31, 2011, she was promoted to Police Senior Inspector.
* Coordination with other agencies for joint programs for the citizenry
THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE
PNP FUNCTIONS
* Combat Operations
1. Law Enforcement.
* Conduct of checkpoints
Mission:
2. Maintain peace and order.
* Concert for a cause
* Conduct of Sunday masses
To enforce the law, to prevent and control
3. Prevents and investigates crimes and
crimes, to maintain peace and order and en-
bring offenders to justice.
* Disaster and relief operations
sure public safety and internal security with
* Distribution of school supplies and books
the active support of the community.
4. Exercise the vested powers from the
* Distribution of second hand clothing
Philippine Constitution and pertinent
* Environmental protection
laws.
* Education and training for the PNP personnel
Vision:
* Feeding program
5. Detain an arrested person for a pe-
Imploring the aid of the Almighty, by 2030, we
* Gender and development program
shall be a highly capable, effective and credible
riod not beyond what is prescribed by
* Human rights advocacy
police service working in partnership with a
law.
* Information drives on various topics to the different sectors of the
society
responsive community towards the attainment
6. Implements pertinent laws and regu-
* Internal security operations
of a safer place to live, work, and do business.
lations on firearms and explosives con-
trol.
* Law Enforcement
* Maintenance and repair of government properties
* Marijuana eradication
Philosophy:
7. Supervise and control the training
* Medical and dental missions
Service, honor and justice
* Moral recovery program for PNP personnel
PNP UNDERTAKINGS
* Physical fitness and sports development
* Air, land and water security operations
Core Values:
* Police visibility
* Anti-terrorism efforts
* Pulis Ko, Titser Ko
Maka Diyos, Makabayan, Makatao
* Arrest of criminals
* Relief operations
* Barangay pulong-pulong/Visitation
and Makakalikasan.
* Render safe of unexploded ordnance
* Blood donation
* Scholarship programs
* Campaign against kidnap-for-ransom
* Search and rescue during disasters
* Campaign against bank robbery
* United Nations Peacekeeping
* Campaign against wanted persons
* Women and children protection
* Celebration of various festivities
* Others…..
* Civil disturbance management operations
Plans and Programs
"f) Must not have been dishonorably discharged from
• To rationalize the overall institutional framework for the
military employment or dismissed for cause from any
country's policing system by clearly delineating and defining
civilian position in the Government;
the coordination of police functions and structures;
"g) Must not have been convicted by final judgment of
• To enhance the focus and coordination of police functions
an offense or crime involving moral turpitude;
and operations through a national internal security policy and
"h) Must be at least one meter and sixty-two centime-
ters (1.62 m.) in height for male and one meter and fifty
strategy;
-seven centimeters (1.57 m.) for female;
• To reengineer the police system towards strengthening
"i) Must weigh not more or less than five kilograms (5
police oversight; remove institutionalized mechanisms that
kgs.) from the standard weight corresponding to his or
undermine unity of command and internal management au-
her height, age, and sex; and
thority in the PNP, which renders the organization vulnerable
"j) For a new applicant, must not be less than twenty-
to undue politicization and corruption;
one (21) nor more than thirty (30) years of age: except
for the last qualification, the above-enumerated qualifi-
• To fortify the institutional capabilities of the PNP by im-
cations shall be continuing in character and an ab-
proving administrative and operational coherence and effi-
sence of any one of them at any given time shall be a
ciency; and to strengthen the police stations with the end goal
ground for separation or retirement from the service:
of enhancing the quality of police services and relationships
Provided, That PNP members who are already in the
service upon the effectivity of this Act shall be given at
with the community.
least two (2) more years to obtain the minimum educa-
• To streamline institutional mechanisms and procedures
tional qualification and one (1) year to satisfy the
in order to promote speedy access to justice and legal pro-
weight requirement.
tection; ensure police neutrality and non-discrimination; and
foster respect for human rights and gender neutrality;
• To strengthen institutional mechanisms for the recruit-
Maximum Tenure in Position
QUALIFICATIONS UPGRADING
ment, training, and maintenance of a corps of competent, well-
Chief - 4 years
General Qualifications for Appointment. – No person shall be ap-
compensated, and motivated professional police force imbued
pointed as officer or member of the PNP unless he or she pos-
Deputy Chief - 4 years
with integrity, industry, and a high sense of duty and honor;
sesses the following minimum qualifications:
Director of the Staff Services - 4 years
and
"a) A citizen of the Philippines;
Regional Directors - 6 years
• To clarify and instill a culture of public accountability in
"b) A person of good moral conduct;
Provincial/City Directors - 9 years
the PNP and among its personnel.
"c) Must have passed the psychiatric/psychological,
drug and physical tests to be administered by the PNP
or by any NAPOLCOM accredited government hospital
for the purpose of determining physical and mental
health;
"d) Must possess a formal baccalaureate degree from a
recognized institution of learning;
"e) Must be eligible in accordance with the standards
set by the Commission;
THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE
Mission:
To enforce the law, to prevent and control
crimes, to maintain peace and order and ensure
public safety and internal security with the active
support of the community.
Vision:
Imploring the aid of the Almighty, by 2030, we
shall be a highly capable, effective and credible
g y
p
,
police service working in partnership with a
responsive community towards the attainment
of a safer place to live, work, and do business.
Philosophy:
Service, honor and justice
Core Values:
Maka Diyos, Makabayan, Makatao
and Makakalikasan.
Police are caring
Assistance to the community
Barangay Visitation
on farm works
First aid to visitors
Concert for a Cause
J a n u a r y 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Police supports education
Distribu
School Visitation
tion
of scho
ol su
pplie
s
closer to G
v
a
Educating chi
Condu
r
i
ous topics t
ct o
o
d thr
f
lec
o
o
t
o
o
t
st
ur
ug
ldren to be
u
es on
h pr
d
e
nt
a
y
s
er
F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
Coordination with the stakeholders in the community
With the Alumni of St. Louis
With the faculties of
School of Campo Filipino,
Kapangan National High
batch 1982
With R
D
, N
A
P
P
OLCO
M-
C
AR
M a r c h 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Coordination with the stakeholders in the community
With Civil Service Commission - CAR
With the San Jose High School, La Trinidad,
Benguet
With the Department of Education – CAR
With the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources
A p r i l 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Police are humane
At Dalipey, Bakun, Benguet
At Sta. Juliana, Crow
Valley, Tarlac
At Laoangan, kapangan, Benguet
Blood donation
M a y 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Police are service oriented
Police visibility
Checkpoints
Render safe of
Marijuana eradication
Unexploded Ordnance
J u n e 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Police are environmental-friendly
Tree planting
activities
Establishment of nurseries
Implementation of PD 705
J u l y 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Police support sports development and physical fitness
A u g u s t 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
The Police care for the youth who are the hope of the fatherland
S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23/30
24
25
26
27
28
29
Police are always ready to serve and protect
O c t o b e r 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Police are God-loving people
RPSB Church Choir
Policemen attending church
services
Policemen detailed at Mt. Polis
painting the Mama Mary Statue
N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Police are health conscious
Policemen disseminating health concerns through
the posting of health posters in various areas
Police supports medical and dental missions
Policemen practicing Cardio‐Pulmonary
Resuscitation (CPR) during a training
D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23/30
24/31
25
26
27
28
29
NATIONAL POLICE REVITALIZATION GUIDE
THRISLYN B CELOY-SAGPAEY
SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF OPEN UNIVERSITY
BENGUET STATE UNIVERSITY, LA TRINIDAD,
BENGUET IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE DEGREE
MASTER IN HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
APRIL 2012
i
BenguetStateUniversity
Open University
La Trinidad, Benguet 2601
Tel. (074)309-2353
www.bsu.edu.ph
STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP
This is to certify that the study is original and was undertaken
solely in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Master in Human Resource Development
at the Open University, Benguet State
UniversityLa Trinidad, Benguet.
It does not contain any work published elsewhere
except in parts where reference is made.
THRISLYN B CELOY-SAGPAEY
Name and Signature of Student
Date: _______________
ii
Contribution No: MHRD 2012-027-135
Republic of the Philippines
BENGUET STATE UNIVERSITY
La Trinidad, Benguet
OPEN UNIVERSITY
This
thesis
hereto
attached,
entitled
POLICE
PROFESSIONALISM AND MORALITY: A PHILIPPINE NATIONAL
POLICE REVITALIZATION GUIDE, prepared and submitted by
THRISLYN B CELOY-SAGPAEY in partial fulfilment of the
requirements for the degree MASTER IN HUMAN RESOURCE
DEVELOPMENT, is hereby accepted.
CESARINA A. LANDISAN, MHRD
Member
Date Signed: ____________
PSSUPT FROILAN DG PEREZ
Member
Date Signed: ____________
LEONILA R. SITO, Ph.D.
Adviser/Chairperson
Date Signed: ____________
LITA MOLITAS-COLTING, Ph.D.
Director
Date Signed: ___________
iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
God so loves the researcher. He was always there particularly
during the formulation of this book. The Holy Spirit undeniably inspires
and enlightens and to Him she gives her profoundest gratitude above
all.
She likewise thanks all the civilian and policemen/women
respondents of this study, for without them, this study could not have
come to reality;
Her adviser, Dr. Leonila R. Sito, for her commitment and
priceless assistance from the beginning of this work until its
completion;
Her statistician, Mr. Oliver Paculan, for his helpful bits of advice
and dedication in the statistical analysis of data;
Dr. Lita M. Colting, Ms. Cesarina A. Landisan and Ms. Analyn B.
Garcilian, for their valuable contributions, encouragements and
support;
Her Battalion Commander, Police Senior Superintendent Froilan
De Guzman Perez, for his ever understanding and support;
Her comrades in the service, Police Superintendent Richard
Bacani Verceles, Police Superintendent Mark Danglait Pespes, and
Police Senior Inspector Ceasar Dangatan Sab-it, for their constructive
inputs and encouragements. Melchor W Octaviano for his assistance
in the preparation of the flyers and calendars and to the personnel of
iv
the Regional Public Safety Company, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Maneuver
Companies of the Regional Public Safety Battalion for the photographs
placed in the sample calendar.
Ms. Janet A. Lee for helping in the distribution of questionnaires,
Police Senior Inspector Divina Cosi Mencio and Ms. Avegale Canipas
for their exceptional assistance and friendship;
Her ever loving mother, Apesa, brothers; John, Florencio, Wilton
and Denver and sisters; Florena and Lorma and their respective
families for all their endless support and most especially their love and
prayers;
Her husband, Ferdinand and her two greatest inspirations in life-
Shea and Frizz who unwaveringly support her in all her undertakings
and for bearing with her during her difficult times as she was
accomplishing this endeavour,
Her relatives, friends, colleagues in the service and everyone
else whom she did not mention who made this study authentic.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY, THE GREATEST LAW-GIVER AND
TEACHER, THE BLESSED HOPE AND THE SUPREME PROVIDER!
To every peacekeeper of the land, this book is dedicated to you.
THRISLYN B CELOY-SAGPAEY
v
ABSTRACT
SAGPAEY, THRISLYN C. April 2012.Police Professionalism
and Morality: A Philippine National Police Revitalization Guide.
Benguet State University, Open University, La Trinidad, Benguet,
Philippines.
Adviser: Leonila R.Sito, Ph.D.
Professionalism and morality are integral part of police
image.The study delved into the perception of the community and the
police along the PNP uniformed personnel’simage on professionalism
and morality. It determined how the community’s perception differed
according to their role in the community being students, professionals
and laymen. It established the differences on the perception of Roman
Catholics and Protestants and between male and female respondents.
The study verified the sources of perception towards the police;
determined what perceptions do the uniformed personnel have towards
themselves according to their rank and years in service and
distinguished the community’s perception with that of the uniformed
personnel. Structured questionnaire was used to gather the necessary
data. Permission was taken from the heads of offices and academes
where the questionnaires were administered for the professionals and
students while, the questionnaires for the laymen were administered in
their places of work and in their residences. Statistical analysis was
done utilizing the various statistical tools.
vi
The community in general regardless of their religion and sex
approved that the uniformed personnel adhere to the standards of their
profession and are morally upright. The students have a higher regard
towards the police. The main sources of perception are the media,
personal observation, documentaries, social, public officials, the police
themselves and personal experience with the police.
Policemen and women agree that they are indeed committed to
their profession and are morally principled. Regardless of their ranks
and years in service, the police concur that they adhere to their
profession and are morally upright. The uniformed personnel regard
themselves to be significantly more professional and moral than the
community does.
+
vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Title Page ................................................................................... i
Statement of Authorship ………………………………………….. ii
Approval Sheet ........................................................................ iii
Acknowledgement .................................................................. iv
Abstract .................................................................................... vi
Table of Contents ................................................................... viii
List of Tables ............................................................................ ix
List of Figure ............................................................................. xiii
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................
1
Background of the Study ………………………………...
1
Statement of the Problem …......................................... 5
Conceptual Framework …............................................. 6
Hypotheses of the Study …............................................ 18
METHODOLOGY …................................................................. 19
Research Design ............................................................ 19
Population and Locale of the Study ................................ 19
Data Collection Instruments .......................................... 21
Data Collection Procedure ............................................ 22
Treatment of Data ......................................................... 23
viii
Page
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ................................................. 26
Perception of the Community Towards the
PNP Uniformed Personnel Along Police
Professionalism and Morality ........................................ 26
The Community’s perception Towards
the PNP Uniformed Personnel ....................................... 34
Sources of Perception Towards the PNP
Uniformed personnel ........................................................ 42
Perceptions of PNP Uniformed personnel
Towards Themselves Along Professionalism
and Morality ...................................................................... 48
Perception of Policemen ................................................... 53
Comparative Perception of Police
Professionalism and Morality ……………………………………… 58
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS....... 67
Summary .......................................................................... 67
Conclusions ..................................................................... 69
Recommendations .......................................................... 70
LITERATURE CITED ................................................................. 73
APPENDICES
A. Letters to heads of offices …………………………... 76
B. Letter to RD, PRO-COR .......................................... 80
C. Letter to respondents ……………............................. 81
D. Questionnaire for civilian respondents ..................... 82
E. Questionnaire for police respondents …………….... 85
ix
Page
F. Sample Flyer ........................................................... 88
G. Sample of a PNP calendar ........................................ 89
H. Project Proposal ....................................................... 90
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH ....................................................... 95
x
LIST OF TABLES
Table No. Page
1
Respondents of the study …………………………. 20
2
Level of perception of the community
towards the PNP uniformed personnel …………..
27
3
Level of perception of the community based
on their roles …………………………………………
35
4
Level of perception of male and female
respondents towards police professionalism
and morality …………………………………………
39
5
Level of perception of Roman Catholics and
Protestants towards police professionalism
and morality …………………………………………
41
6
Sources of information about PNP personnel …..
43
7
Self-perception of PNP personnel along
professionalism and morality …………………….. 49
8
Level of Perception of policemen on
professionalism and morality according to
their rank ……………………………………………..
54
9
Level of perception of policemen on
professionalism and morality according
to the years in service ……………………………….
56
10
Level of perception of policemen on
professionalism and morality according to
years in service using correlation …………………… 58
11
Level of perception of the community and
police on professionalism and morality ……………. 59
12
Comparison of professionalism and morality
as rated by the community and police
respondents ………………………………………….
66
xi
LIST OF FIGURE
Figure No.
Page
1
Paradigm of the study …………………….. 6
xii
1
INTRODUCTION
Policemen and women belong to the most active force of
professionals in the Philippines. They belong to the Philippine National
Police (PNP), the largest government agency in the country with more
than 140,000 personnel. Perception of the public regarding the police
tends more towards the negative scale and it is affecting the image of the
PNP. This investigation aims to objectively verify the views that the
community as well as the members of the police force have on the
uniformed personnel.
Background of the Study
The Philippine National Police is the country’s premier agency
involved in law enforcement, arrest of criminals, and the maintenance of
peace and order. The citizenry are the beneficiaries of police service;
nevertheless, the people had been criticizing the PNP due to many
incidents involving the members of the organization. Historically, the
People’s Revolution of 1986 saw the birth of the 1987 Constitution that
included a provision on the Philippine National Police which was to be
“national in scope and civilian in character.”
To further intensify the PNP to become a highly efficient and
competent police force, Republic Act No. 8551 known as the “PNP Reform
2
and Reorganization Act of 1998” was enacted on February 17, 1998,
amending certain provisions of Republic Act No 6975 and allowed the
restructuring of the PNP to enable it to cope up and efficiently perform its
mandate - to enforce the law, prevent and control crimes, maintain peace
and order, and ensure public safety and internal security with the active
support of the community.
This step was in response to the increasing outcries to transform
the PNP “into a more responsive, effective and relevant police
organization.” Under this Act, the PNP is expected to be strengthened and
evolved into a highly efficient police force that is community and service-
oriented and fully accountable in the performance of its action. The PNP
vision so states: Imploring the aid of the Almighty, by 2030, we shall be a
highly capable, effective and credible police service working in partnership
with a responsive community towards the attainment of a safer place to
live, work, and do business. Its philosophy is service, honor and justice
and the core values are Maka Diyos, Makabayan, Makatao, and
Makakalikasan.
Section 2 of the PNP Declaration of Policy of the Ethical Doctrine
provides that:
1. I believe in God, the Supreme Being, the Great Provider, and the
Creator of all men and everything dear to me. In return, I can do no less
3
than love Him above all by obeying His word, seek His guidance in the
performance of my sworn duties and honor Him at all times.
2. I believe that respect for authority is a duty. I respect and uphold
the Constitution, the laws of the land and the applicable rules and
regulations. I recognize the legitimacy and authority of the leadership, and
obey legal orders of my superior officers.
3. I believe in selfless love and service to people. Towards this end,
I commit myself to the service of my fellowmen over and above my
personal interest.
4. I believe in the sanctity of marriage and family life. I shall set the
example of decency and morality, shall have high regard for family life and
value of marital fidelity.
5. I believe in the responsible dominion and stewardship over
material things. I shall inhibit myself from extravagance and ostentatious
display of material things. I shall respect private and public properties and
prevent others from destroying them. I shall help protect the environment
and conserve nature to maintain ecological balance.
6. I believe in the wisdom of truthfulness. I must be trustworthy and
I shall uphold the truth at all times.
Given these duties, values, principles and code, many of the PNP
personnel do not level up to the expectations of the community.
There
4
are many unfavorable impressions on the PNP such as graft and
corruption, abuse of authority, mulcting in the street and market places,
other forms of extortion, protection rackets, coddling of hoodlums and
criminals, planting of evidence, solicitation from persons under
investigation, and the list goes on. Then President Estrada refer to them
as the hoodlums in uniform.
On the other hand, the citizens have vital roles to play. Primarily,
they have to ask themselves if their perceptions of the police are accurate,
or are these views strongly influenced by the perceptions of others such
as the media. The community has to take steps in correcting the police
officers by reporting the illegal activities to the proper authorities.
Likewise, the citizens could help in the attainment of a safe place to live in
by supporting the police in their drive to preempt criminal activities in their
area. Being cognizant that crime prevention and its solution is a strategic
partnership between the police force and the community and working
hand-in-hand with the police to help in the fight against crimes is
realizable.
The Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-COR) had been vigilant
in keeping its police force be at its best in serving the people; in
suppressing crimes, protecting government and private properties and
arresting the perpetrators. For its commendable performance, said office
5
had been awarded as the Best Police Regional Office of the Philippines in
2006.
Determining the perception of the police by the different sectors of
the society could help the PNP to check their personnel and its programs
to improve its image. The result of this study could also be useful in
making or amending policies and the development of strategies to further
improve the police service needed by the community.
In the light of the foregoing, this study ascertains the perceptions of
the public in relation to the PNP’s professionalism and morality. The study
also aims to know the self-perception of the PNP uniformed personnel
with regard to their professionalism and morality.
Statement of the Problem
1. What are the perceptions of the community towards PNP
uniformed personnel along: police professionalism, and police morality?
2. How do the community’s perceptions towards the PNP uniformed
personnel differ according to their:
a. role
b. gender, and
c. religion?
3. What are the sources of the perceptions towards policemen?
6
4. What perceptions do PNP uniformed personnel have towards
themselves along:
a. police professionalism, and
b. morality?
5. In relation to the policemen’s leveling up to their profession, how
do their perceptions differ according to their:
a. rank and
b. years in service
6. How do the perceptions of the community compare with that of
the PNP uniformed personnel in terms of:
a. police professionalism, and
b. police morality?
Conceptual Framework
The paradigm of the study is presented in Figure 1. The
independent variable comprises the Philippine National Police’s sense of
professionalism and morality.
7
Independent Variables
Dependent Variables
- Community and self-
The Philippine National
Police Uniformed
perceptions towards
Personnel:
professionalism and
morality of the PNP
- Professionalism
uniformed personnel
-
morality
- Community’s perceptions
according to their role, sex
and religion
- Sources of community’s
perception
- PNP’s self-perception
according to their rank and
years in service
Moderate Variables
Members of the community’s
a. role
b. gender
c. religion
PNP Uniformed personnel’s
a. rank
b. years in service
Fig 1. Paradigm of the Study
8
Perceptions are reality for the individuals and groups who hold
them. Perceptions are seen as truth, whether or not they are truth (Shusta,
et al. 1995). As the primary concepts of this study’s independent
variables, the perceptions about professionalism and morality are
discussed.
In 1995, Shusta et al. stated that image is not a matter of illusion or
mere public manipulation of appearances. We play many roles in the
course of life – male or female, married or single, child or parent, student
or mentor. However, concern in this study is specifically upon vocational
roles in terms of the criminal justice system and the changing images
projected by its practitioners. As the police see themselves, they project
an image to the public, and citizens respond to that image.
Various factors play a role in how a person gives attributes to other
people’s behavior. Apparently, the view of the world, past experiences
with particular person or situation and awareness of the behavior play a
vital role. Other factors also affect the interpretation as well, and there are
two vital errors or mistakes one tends to make when assigning attributes.
First is the fundamental attribution error, which is the tendency to
overestimate the internal and underestimate the external factors when
elucidating the behaviors of others. This may be a result of the tendency
9
to pay extra attention to the situation rather than the individual and it is
especially true when one knows little about the other person.
Second is the self-serving bias, where one tends to failures to
external attribute. When one is promoted, most feel that the success is
due to hard work, intelligence, dedication and similar internal factors
(Aronson 1992).
Likewise, social categorization can account for the interesting
findings. Social categorization is one of the mental shortcuts used in
person perception. In this process, a person categorizes people into
different groups based on common characteristics. Sometimes this
process occurs consciously, but mainly, social categorizations take place
automatically and unconsciously. Age, gender, occupation and race are
the most common groupings people use in social categorization (Bargh, et
al., 1996).
Social categorization has both positive and negative aspects. One
strong point is that it permits people to make judgments very speedily.
Rationally, one simply does not have the time to know each other more.
The problem with social categorization is that it can direct to errors as well
as typecasting.
Interacting with citizens constitute an important part of a police
officer’s daily activities. Many aspects of these interactions have the
10
potential for influencing how the police and citizens perceive and evaluate
each other. More citizens often bring to the interaction an array of
attitudes and preconceived notions about the police and their conduct that
sometimes are inaccurate. There is a paucity of information regarding
specific dimensions of the police. Citizen communication that enhances or
impedes police efficiency adversely affects the way citizens feel about the
police. Research has shown that citizens who have negative contacts with
the police, as compared to those who do not, have more negative
attitudes toward the police. Citizens’ attitude toward the police appears
most affected by actual contact with uniformed officers in an official or
semi-official capacity (White, Cox and Basehart, 1994).
On the other hand, Hamilton and Zanna (1972), as cited by Myers
(2002) stressed that people seem to assign greater weight or importance
to information regarding negative characteristics than to information
concerning positive ones. Impressions are influenced by the initial
dispositions to evaluate others in a positive or negative manner. These
dispositions seem to exist prior to the receipt of any information about
other persons, and in a sense reflect tendencies brought to the first
meetings with people.
Professionalism means approaching an activity, such as one’s
occupation or career, with a sense of dedication and expertise. A
11
professional is a committed high performer, possesses integrity and
demonstrates competence- regardless of vocation or profession in which
one is engaged. A professional is also concerned with doing an effective
job or rendering an effective service; developing one’s skill level and
career; ensuring ethical and sensitive behavior in one’s self and other
organizational members; and capitalizing on diversity in people and
organizations. Whether writing a report, conducting an investigation or an
interview, or commanding a police action, a professional peace officer
does it consistently well. Further, his or her performance observes the
code of ethics expected of a public employee (Shusta, et al. 1995).
A police professional is one who is properly educated and public
service-oriented; one whose behavior and conduct on the job is
appropriate and ethical, avoiding clear conflict of interests; one who
respects the dignity of humanity of everyone contacted in the course of
his/her work, attempting to treat all fairly and with equal justice; one who is
culturally sensitive to the differences and potential of others; one who is
aware of the impact of agency culture on the professional behavior of
officers; and one who is a learner concerned about personal and career
development for both one’s self and others (Shusta, et al. 1995).
Professionalism and morality are hardly separable. Professionalism
implies having more than technical skills and refers to the moral
12
contributions that professionals make in a complex, democratic society-the
ethic of the calling. The ethical person is perceived as someone who has
courage and integrity, is willing to resist corruption and unprincipled
people by upholding humanity, justice, and civility. Such a peace officer
tries to be loyal to his or her own conscience and avoids unprofessional
behavior. Similarly, Obrera (2001) pointed out that commitment,
competence, and principle orientation are the indicators of
professionalism.
In an Opinion column of the Manila Times (September 28, 2008), it
pointed out that the professionalism of the PNP, along with modernization,
ought to be the second badge of the career police officer. The challenge
of professionalism requires a renewal in values and attitudes, a
transformation in character and sense of vision. In his speech during the
celebration of PNP Day, then President Fidel Ramos, observed that many
policemen regard their work as temporary and a stepping –stone to crime.
The involvement of may police superintendents and police officers –
active, retired or dismissed from the service - attests to his insightful
observation.
Morality is the conformity of man’s conduct, that is, his free
volitional acts, to the rational nature of man considered in itself and in all
its relations. The true standard and sanction of morality is the Divine will
13
of God as expressed in the eternal and unchangeable natural moral law
and in supernatural revelation (Kelly, 1965).
Gilligan (1982) noted that moral orientation on justice was more
prevalent on boys because of their attachment relations to their mother,
and subsequent masculine identity formation entailed that boys separate
from that relationship and individualized themselves from the mother. For
boys, this separation also heightens their awareness of the difference in
power relations between themselves and the adult, and hence engenders
an intense set of concerns over inequalities. On the contrary, girls,
because of their continued attachment to their mothers, are not as keenly
aware of such inequalities, and are, hence, less concerned with fairness
as an issue.
The dependent variables in this study include the perceptions
towards the PNP personnel along the dimensions of professionalism and
morality; the differences in said perceptions along the role, sex, and
religion of lay respondents, the PNP personnel’s self-perception and when
comparing their ranks and years in service.
The moderating variables are the selected characteristics of the
community’s which are role, sex and religion. Role in the community refers
to the part or function of the respondent in the community. In this
research, it is classified as students- these are the high school and college
14
students; the professionals are those working with the government or
private offices who are engaged in their learned vocations, and the laymen
referring to members of the community who are either storekeepers, utility
workers, security guards, farmers, businessman and drivers. This study is
interested to find out if there is a significant difference on their perception
towards the uniformed personnel of the PNP according to their role in the
community.
The second moderating variable is the gender of the respondent
which is either male or female. This study wants to ascertain such effects
on the perception of a person towards another.
The third moderating variable is the religion of the respondents
which is either Roman Catholic or Protestant. This study determines if
religion influences someone’s perception towards an individual or group of
persons.
Two demographic variables related to the members of the
Philippine National Police are their rank and years in service. The rank
of policemen refers to the degree of official standing in the Philippine
National Police such as Police officers (Police Officer 1, Police officer 2,
Police Officer 3), Senior Police Officers (Senior Police officer 1, Senior
Police Officer 2, Senior Police officer 3, Senior Police Officer 4), Junior
Police Commissioned Office (Police Inspector, Police Senior Inspector,
15
Police Chief Inspector),and Senior Police Commissioned Officers (Police
Superintendent and Senior Police Superintendent).
The years in service is classified in this study into six: 1-5 years, 6-
10, 11-15, 16-20, 20-25 and 26 years and above.
This research aims to find if the ranks and length of service affect
their perception towards their uniformed co-servants in their organization.
The source of information that affects the perception of the
community is also considered to be very informative in this study. Surette
(1998) mentions that indeed, surveys of the public indicate that 95 percent
of the public consider the mass media as their main source of information
on crimes. Likewise, Shusta, et al (1995) stated that modern media has a
powerful influence on how the public perceives the police.
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are
intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast
media (also known as electronic media) transmits information
electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs,
DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles.
Alternatively, print media uses a physical object as a means of sending
information, such as newspaper, magazines, brochures, newsletters,
books, leaflets and pamphlets. Mobile phones, computers and Internet are
sometimes referred to as New-age Media.
16
In the 2000s, a classification called the "seven mass media"
became popular. They are: 1. Print (books, pamphlets, newspapers,
magazines, etc.) from the late 15th century; 2. Recordings (gramophone
records, magnetic tapes, cassettes, cartridges, CDs, DVDs) from the late
19th century; 3. Cinema, from about 1900; 4. Radio, from about 1910; 5.
Television, from about 1950; 6. Internet, from about 1990; and 7. Mobile
phones, from about 2000. Whatever the entertainment media shows, it is
the opposite of what is true. In every subject category – crimes, criminals,
crime fighters, the investigation of crimes, arrests, the processing and
disposition of cases – the entertainment media present a world of crime
and justice that is not found in reality. Their wildly inaccurate and
inevitably fragmentary images provide a distorted reflection of crime within
society and an equally distorted reflection of the criminal justice system’s
response to crime. (Surette, 1998).
Interacting with citizens constitute an important part of a police
officer’s daily activities. Many aspects of these interactions have the
potential for influencing how the police and citizens perceive and evaluate
each other’s. There is a paucity of information regarding specific
dimensions of the police. Citizen communication that enhances or
impedes police efficiency adversely affects the way citizens feel about the
police. Citizens’ attitudes toward the police appear most affected by actual
17
contact with uniformed officers in an official or semi-official capacity
(White, Cox and Basehart, 1994).
Myers (2002) cited Rosebaum and Levin, (1969) and Driskell and
Mullen (1990) who pointed out that information from reliable or highly
credible sources is given greater weight than information from less reliable
sources and that higher status of people tend to have more impact to
others respectively.
Trojanowicz and Bucqueroux (1990) mentioned that the
personalized picture of the police is the end result of their cumulative
exposure in real and reel life of the citizens – the officers they met, the
ones seen in the theater, and the ones learned from the news.
Determining the community’s perception towards the police by the
different sectors of the society could be considered by the PNP to check
their personnel to improve their image. The result of this study could also
be useful in making or amending policies and the development of
strategies to further bring back the trust and confidence of the community
towards the PNP. The result could also be used to identify the members
of the community who needs more information regarding police programs
as well as those who needs more police services and projects. This is
also important for the development of more programs for the students to
18
continually value and respect the police on a higher level, as they are the
hope of the next generation.
Hypotheses of the Study
1. There are no significant differences in the community’s
perception about the PNP uniformed personnel in terms of the
respondents:
a. role,
b. gender, and
c. religion.
2. There are no significant differences in the PNP uniformed
personnel’s perception on how they level up to their profession when
grouped according to their:
a. rank, and
b. years in service.
3. There are no significant differences in the perceptions of the
community and PNP uniformed personnel about PNP image.
19
METHODOLOGY
Research Design
This study is a comparative descriptive research as it attempted to
provide a picture about the current views of the community and PNP
themselves in terms of the latter’s professionalism and morality. It uses
the survey method to gather data through questionnaire.
Population and Locale of the Study
The study involved students, professionals and laymen within La
Trinidad, Benguet. It also encompassed the policemen and women
assigned with Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-COR). Said office
covers the six provinces and one chartered city of the region: Abra,
Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mt. Province.
PRO-COR has 3,874 (as of October 2011) policemen and women
detailed with the different provinces, Baguio City and the regional
headquarters. There were 357 policemen and women or 9.21% who were
respondents of this study. On the other hand, there were 507 student,
professional and laymen respondents.
20
Table 1. The respondents of the study
Roles Frequency Percentage
___________________________________________________________
Policemen/women 357
41.32
Professionals 144 16.67
Laymen 179 20.72
Students 184 21.29
___________________________________________________________
Total
864
100.00
The professional, non-professional and student respondents came
from the following institutions/organizations:
Baguio-Tomay Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association
Benguet Provincial Capitol Employees
Benguet State University
Buyagan Operators and Drivers Association
Cordillera Career Development College
Department of Agrarian Reform, Benguet Provincial Office
Department of Public Works and Highways
La Trinidad Municipal Office
Land Bank of the Philippines
Land Transportation Office
21
National Irrigation Administration-CAR
Police Regional Office - Cordillera
Sunrise Agricultural Supply
Others from the various sectors of the society such as store
owners, farmers, security guards, and housewives
The study was conducted from June 2011 to October 2011.
Data Collection Instruments
The questionnaire was constructed based from PNP’s mission and
vision, philosophy, police officer’s creed, policy on Ethical Doctrine, moral
and core values, and Code of Ethics. The questionnaire was used to
gather the needed data and information regarding the relevant
demographic profile of respondents and the perception of the police by the
student-respondents, professionals, laymen and the police themselves.
The said questionnaire was divided into two parts. Part I, the
needed personal information about the respondents; Part II gathered data
and information about the study which specifically dealt on the perceptions
of the police by the students, professionals, laymen and the police.
The responses in Part II of the questionnaire used the following 5-
point scale:
4
- Strongly Agree
22
3
- Agree
2
- Disagree
1
- Strongly Disagree
Likewise, Part III of the questionnaire was answered with a 5-point
scale of frequency:
4
- Almost Always
3
- Often
2
- Seldom
1
- Almost Never
A similar questionnaire was prepared for the PNP uniformed
personnel, but their rank and number of years in service were considered.
Documentary analysis of related programs to the study was carried out by
the researcher. The study considered looking into some government and
private documents and records to serve as secondary sources of data.
A pilot test was administered to the police, professionals, laymen,
high school and college students to assess if the questionnaires were
totally clear and understood by them.
Data Collection Procedure
The researcher secured permits from the Police Regional Office-
Cordillera Regional Director, the Provincial Governor, the Municipal
Mayor, heads of the government agencies, and schools where the
23
questionnaires were administered to conduct the research in their
respective offices and schools. Upon approval of the request, the
questionnaires were personally administered in the different schools
during class hours so that it was answered by the respondents and were
retrieved immediately. The answers were collated, tallied, analyzed and
interpreted.
For the laymen, the questionnaires were personally administered in
their offices, their place of work or business and in their homes and were
retrieved later.
For the professionals and the policemen, the questionnaires were
administered in their offices then retrieved after a given time.
Treatment of Data
The data gathered from the respondents of the study were
subjected to statistical treatment. For systematic flow of data analysis, the
following statistical tools were employed:
1. Frequency Counts: This was used to tabulate the responses of the
respondents in the survey questionnaire;
2. Percentage: This was used to determine and describe the
distribution of respondents;
% = X1 x 100
X total
24
3. Weighted Mean: This was used to determine the average
responses of respondents;
Weighted Mean
Where:
X – rating or score
w – weight or number of respondents
4. Analysis of Variance: This was used to determine the
significance of differences on the perception of the respondents according
to their profile; specifically using the t-test.
The formula for the one-way ANOVA F-test statistic is
F = explained variance
Unexplained variance
Or
F = between-group variability
Within-group variability
The "explained variance", or "between-group variability" is
where
denotes the sample mean in the ith group, ni is the number of
observations in the ith group, and denotes the overall mean of the data.
The "unexplained variance", or "within-group variability" is
25
where Yij is the jth observation in the ith out of K groups and N is the overall
sample
size.
This
F-statistic
follows
the F-
distribution with K − 1, N −K degrees of freedom under the null hypothesis.
The statistic is large if the between-group variability is large relative to the
within-group variability, which is unlikely to happen if the population
means of the groups all have the same value.
5. t-Test: This was used to determine differences in mean scores
of two groups particularly if there is a significant difference on the
perception of the public and PNP personnel.
where
Here
is the grand standard deviation (or pooled standard
deviation), 1 = group one, 2 = group two
6. Post hoc test was applied when the computed F value was significant.
The 0.05 level of confidence was the basis in the interpretation of
statistical indices.
26
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
This section presents the analysis of the outcome of the study from
the responses of professionals, laymen, students and the PNP uniformed
personnel. It aims to establish the perception of the community and the
police in general towards police professionalism and morality.
Perception of the Community Towards the PNP
Uniformed Personnel Along Police
Professionalism and Morality
The community has varying perceptions towards the police along
professionalism and morality. Some would appreciate the police and
some do not. This study aimed to establish if the community agrees that
the police are considered to be professional and morally upright or not.
Table 1 focuses on the perception of the community towards PNP
uniformed personnel along police professionalism and morality. It shows
that the community generally agrees that the policemen adhere to the
expectations of their profession as showed by a weighted mean of 2.91.
On morality, statistics show that the community also agrees that the
policemen measures up to their expectations with a mean of 2.76. A more
in-depth discussion is presented subsequently.
27
Table 2. Level of perception of the community towards the PNP
Uniformed Personnel
WEIGHTED ADJECTIVAL
PERCEPTIONS
MEAN
RATING
Professionalism
2.91
Agree
Enforcement of laws
3.22
Agree
Service-oriented
3.00
Agree
Responsible
2.98
Agree
Not abusing authority
2.52
Agree
Not criminal coddlers
2.69
Agree
Morality
2.76
Agree
Respect for marriage
2.56
Agree
Good stewards
2.79
Agree
Courteous
2.87
Agree
Not extortionists
2.58
Agree
Morally upright
2.52
Agree
__________________________________________________________
Overall Mean
2.85
Legend:
Extent
Statistical
Adjectival Rating
4
3.51 - 4.00
Strongly Agree
3
2.51 - 3.50
Agree
2 1.51 - 2.50
Disagree
1
1.00 - 1.50
Strongly Disagree
The community in general has a positive regard of the PNP men.
They see them to be indeed adhering to their professions’ code. They
enforce the law, service oriented and responsible. They are regarded to
uphold that the civilians are above them and they do not give special
28
treatment or protection to those who violate the laws, they enforce the law
without fear or favor.
The findings show that indeed the PNP men and women perform
their occupation or career with a sense of dedication and expertise. A
professional is a committed high performer, possesses integrity and
demonstrates competence- regardless of vocation or profession in which
one is engaged. This finding concurs/agrees with Shusta, et al, (1995)
that a professional is concerned doing an effective job or rendering an
effective service.
Likewise, the results of the study prove that the community
considers the PNP to adhere to the provisions of the Civil Service
Commission. In a similar vein, to discern the perception of the community
towards the PNP uniformed personnel, a question was posted by the
Philstar.com, “How much do you trust your police force?” Participation
came in from various text senders and Manuel Canlas from Pampanga
communicated that:
Each citizen should have trust in the police institution and its men in
uniform because they are our protectors against lawless elements and our
rescuers in times of need. I agree that our police ranks are tainted by some bad
eggs, but not the whole force is affected. I believe that a lot of them are stil
ready to serve the citizenry. We shall be their watchdogs and we shouldn’t let
them get away with corrupt practices. Let us show respect towards those who
deserve it and report those who are abusive. If we distrust them, who can we
trust? The NPA, MILF, MNLF, Abu Sayyaf or other groups who pretend to be
protectors of the masses?
29
It is a well-shared information that the Philippine National Police
had been experiencing an all-low rating in the past years. The citizenry
had been pointing fingers to policemen as cohorts or even principals in the
commission of crimes. However, in a study of Asia–Pacific Centre for
Research (ACRE) Inc., the National Level Overall Performance Index
(Approval Rating for the PNP) has risen dramatically from 59.7% in 2008
to 67.44% and 68.25% in 2009 and 2010 respectively.
Likewise, in a related survey conducted by ACRE just after the
May 10, 2010 national and local elections revealed that 70.72% or seven
out of 10 Filipinos were satisfied with the performance of the PNP,
representing an increase of satisfied Filipinos as compared to the result of
similar survey where PNP got 68.53%. Likewise, a survey by the
Philippine Information Agency conducted on February 11-12, 2011,
disclosed that 72% of Filipinos feel safe in their community. This general
opinion is shared among local officials, religious and youth sectors. Only
three percent of the respondents find themselves living in “very unsafe”
communities such as in Basilan and Sulu provinces, and 16% more in
Abra and Kalinga provinces who consider their communities as “unsafe”.
In 2008, the Asia Pacific Center for Research, Inc. (ACRE, Inc.)
together with the PNP conducted a survey entitled “Study on the
Performance of and Attitudes Toward the PNP.” The survey disclosed that
30
the five attributes stand out as those that citizens look for from police
officers and these are: mapagkatiwalaan, makadiyos, mabilis mag-
responde, makatao, at may respeto sa batas. On the other hand, the four
attributes that stands out as negative attributes which police officers
should rid off are the following: nangungurakot, abusado, sangkot sa
gawaing illegal, and mayabang”
The findings of this study are explained by the fact that the PNP
has been finding strategies to improve its services to the citizenry, to
restore the public trust and confidence of the people and to bring them
closer to the community. In 2005, the Integrated Transformation Program
(ITP) was formally launched to transform the PNP into a more capable,
effective and credible police organization. The ITP is the roadmap of the
PNP for its long-term and long-lasting reforms and endeavors to resolve
organizational dysfunctions and enhance the quality of police services,
strengthen law enforcement competencies, and enhance the welfare and
benefits of police personnel and dependents.
On July 9, 2009, a memorandum was issued by then Executive
Secretary Eduardo Ermita, mandating the PNP together with other five
national government agencies to participate in the Millennium Challenge
Corporation program requiring the installation of Performance Governance
System (PGS). This PGS gives much on private-public sector
31
partnership. It is cognizant of the citizen’s propositions and their own
governance programs that can contribute towards the quest of national
strategic priorities. With this PGS, the stakeholders could come closer to
the PNP as they were encouraged to help the PNP identify long-term
goals. In relation to the PGS, the Chief PNP, Police Director General
Nicanor A Bartolome declared:
We hope that at the end of each performance measurement
period, we can report to the Filipino people that we have
significantly moved towards achieving the goals of a transformed
organization so that each and every police officer can proudly say,
Pulis Ako, Pulis Nyo Po.
The PNP is also closely linked with the community through the Peace
and Order Councils (National Peace and Order Council, Regional Peace
and Order Council, and Provincial Peace and Order Council). In these
councils, the PNP is a member organization and higher ranking policemen
are officers of these councils. During the New Year’s call message of then
Chief, PNP, Police Director General Raul M. Bacalzo, he stated that:
There is one area in which we can exercise more
leadership and initiative. I refer to the Peace and Order Councils
(POC) which are keys to strengthening the overall security and
safety down the line. We must be persevering and pro-active in
“pushing for a strong, active and functioning POC in our areas of
responsibility. A strong and PNP-catalyzed POC translates to a
stronger PNP on the ground.”
Another strategy used by the PNP to make their programs known is
through the PNP hours which are aired in various television channels and
32
radio stations overall the country. This is the time allotted for the police to
talk on its programs for the people to know what the organization is doing
for the people.
The PNP also has many programs to bring the people closer to the
police particularly on police community relations such as inter-agency
networking and linkages, participation in sports, socio-cultural and
religious events, support to community projects, complaint assistance
and referrals and others. Other community assistance being performed by
the police are relief operations, livelihood development, medical and
dental outreach and assisting during disasters. Face to face interaction
involves the following: lectures, symposia, seminars, ugnayan sa
barangay or barangay pulong-pulong, feeding programs, pulis ko, titser
ko, environmental protection (tree planting, clean and green) other
school-based and church-based activities and others.
In the study of Pascua in 2005, he pointed out that to achieve a
better and more effective measure for crime prevention is through regular
conduct or interaction with the community either through informal or
friendly communication; that is through barangay pulong-pulong in order to
have a better and harmonious relationship with its constituents and to win
further their hearts and minds and to regain the trust and confidence of the
people.
33
In his speech, PRO-COR Regional Director, Police Chief
Superintendent Benjamin B. Magalong, mentioned that policemen in the
Cordillera region are responsible and hard-working people. He related that
the lady Mayor of Isabela City in Basilan Province where the PRO-COR
contingent served for six months commended the troop for a job well
done. Likewise, she requested for the extension of their stay in the place,
as the people of Basilan experienced that the PRO-COR policemen are
responsible, hardworking and maintained the peace and order in the area.
Along the community’s perception of police morality, they also
agree that the professionals in question are generally morally upright
(M=2.76). Morality is the conformity of man’s conduct, that is, his free
volitional acts, to the rational nature of man considered in itself and in all
its relations (Kelly, 1965).
Result of the study showed that the community agrees that the
police have respect for marriage. They are courteous, do not extort, are
good stewards of properties and in general, they are disciplined.
One popular saying states that genuine change should begin in
one’s self. The PNP Integrated Transformation Program aims that each
and every police officer needs to respond to such change to achieve an
authentic transformation in the PNP. To sustain spiritual and moral
transformation, the PNP had been conducting the Purpose Driven Life
34
Seminars nationwide which is a part of its moral recovery program.
Leadership training based on spiritual and moral values are also being
conducted. The facilitators of these seminars and training are
stakeholders who come from the various denominations and private
organizations that are supportive to help in the transformation of the PNP.
Any denomination is welcomed by the PNP to share their faith to the
policemen and women.
According to the Canons of Police Ethics promulgated by the
International Association, the community and the service require the law
enforcement officer lead the life of a decent and honorable person. The
officer will so conduct his/her private life that the public will regard him/her
as an example of stability, fidelity and morality.
Overall, the community has positive perception towards the PNP
along their professionalism and morality.
The Community’s Perception Towards the
PNP Uniformed Personnel
To further give a picture about the perceptions, identified variables
of the respondents are the bases of comparison. This section gives a
detailed presentation.
35
Table 3. Level of perception of the community based on their roles
ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY
Student Professional Laymen F-value prob.
__________________________________________________________
Professionalism 3.03a 2.89b 2.80b 13.18** .000
Morality
2.92a 2.72b 2.62b 16.06** .000
Overall 2.99 2.82 2.73
ns – not significant * - significant ** - highly significant
According to Role in the Community
The roles of the respondents were categorized as students,
professionals and laymen in the community. As found in Table 3, there is
an overall agreement that the respondents have positive perception of the
PNP. It is found that such roles affect the respondents’ perception in
relation to the PNP uniformed personnel. Table 3 shows that the students
have the highest perception rating of the police in terms of professionalism
with a mean of 3.03. This is significantly higher than the perceptions of the
professionals and laymen.
Students. They have a higher regard for the PNP uniformed
personnel. This finding is possibly explained by the PNP’s program “Titser
ko, Pulis ko” which is school based. In the said program, policemen go to
the different schools to conduct information drive on the responsibilities of
the police towards the community and on various laws affecting them.
36
Basically, such laws are the Republic Act 9262 otherwise known as the
Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children, Republic Act 7610
known as Special Protection of Children Against Exploitation and Abuse,
Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972.
Other topics being discussed in schools are on crime prevention, rights
and responsibilities of the child, among others.
On the other hand, Trojanowicz and Bucqueroux (1990) asserted
that some of the children are told that police officers are friends, someone
whom you could turn to when in trouble. Other children were cautioned to
be good otherwise “the police will take you away.” Further, in terms of
morality, the students as well have the highest regard for the policemen
with a mean of 2.9170, which is highly significant as compared with the
perceptions of professionals and laymen.
Cops in the School is another PNP program which brings the police
closer to the students. This program involves the presence of policemen
and women within the vicinities of the schools, especially during the
opening of classes and other special occasions of the academe.
These programs do not only benefit the students but it is also
advantageous to the police as it gained the trust of the students to the
PNP uniformed personnel. It could also be a factor why some youth want
to be a police in the future as well as they like to have police friends. A
37
survey conducted by Asia Pacific Center for Research, Inc, on September
to October 2010, it showed that 38.3 percent of those who were surveyed
would like to be a police officer and 74.9 percent liked to have a cop for a
friend. The study involved 4,400 respondents from Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao.
In a related study of Bardes and Oldendick (2000), they pointed out
that as individuals’ age, they are more aware than ever of their own
interest and will express opinions that support those interests, and they
are probably more aware of changes in society that they do not approve or
share. There are two types of differences between members of different
age groups that can be identified as true generational effects. In other
words, a cohort of people who were born at a certain time demonstrates a
similarity of views or attachment that is related to events that took place
during the years in which they formed a particular perception.
Professionals and Laymen. Seemingly, higher mean scores are
observed from the professionals along professionalism and morality than
the laymen. While this is the case, the difference when the two were
statistically compared is not significant.
Professionals and laymen are the older respondents and they have
more encounters with the uniformed personnel, which provide them more
information about the uniformed men as compared with the students who
38
are younger and possibly have short of exposure about the PNP.
Likewise, the professionals and laymen could compare the Philippine
Constabulary and Integrated National Police and the PNP at present.
Further, professionals and laymen are more aware on the factual events in
the organization, thus they could understand the realities about the PNP.
The young citizens particularly the students looked up to the police
with high regard. This may indicate that the students who would become
policemen in the future would be ones who will adhere to the norms of
police life. The young generation could also be the ones who would
correct if there is no change in the perspective of the community towards
the police in the future, as they are idealistic people. The PNP then needs
to continue with their programs which made the young generation look up
to the police with good regard. The organization should also look into
other programs which could be implemented that could further intensify a
better viewpoint of the youth towards the PNP.
From the findings, the null hypothesis is not affirmed.
According to Gender
Table 4 presents the level of perception of the male and female
respondents towards police professionalism and morality.
39
Table 4. Level of perception of male and female respondents towards
police professionalism and morality
GENDER
Male
Female
t-value
prob.
__________________________________________________________
Professionalism
2.91
2.90 .167ns
.867
Morality
2.76
2.76 .106ns
.916
__________________________________________________________
Overall
2.87
2.84
ns – not significant * - significant
** - highly significant
Apparently, male respondents have a higher regard for the PNP
uniformed personnel when it comes to professionalism with a mean of
2.91. Females, on the other hand have a higher mean along morality with
2.76; however, the differences are not significant.
Regarding professionalism, why do males have higher regard
towards the PNP’s professionals? A police officer is regarded by other
people in the community especially when the police are in uniform and
armed. Male respondents have a higher regard to the uniformed
personnel on police professionalism because being a police officer is a job
that is so masculine in nature. It is also a profession where majority of the
personnel are males. In this connection, Broverman, et al. (1972) stated
that men are assumed to show such characteristics as aggressiveness,
40
competence and achievement-orientation. In this sense, somehow, the
male respondents were identifying with the police officers.
Female respondents seemed to look up towards police morality on
a higher level than their male counterpart possibly because they have
relatives, friends or know or met policemen who live a moral life as a
family man, or someone who considers the family as a sacred institution. It
could also be attributed to the reason that the respondents belong to the
same municipality or province where a policeman came from, thus they
have a high opinion on them. Another reason could be due to the locale of
the study where the respondents seriously regard morality as a principle in
life. Broverman, et al. 1972, as cited by Bardes and Oldendick (2000)
pointed out that women are generally assumed to possess such traits as
gentleness, tenderness, emotional expressiveness, very strong need for
security, not aggressive.
The findings therefore affirmed the null hypothesis.
According to Religion
The respondents’ religions were categorized into two: Roman
Catholic and Protestants. Their perceptions were compared and results
are presented in Table 5.
41
Table 5. Level of perception of Roman Catholics and Protestants towards
police professionalism and morality
RELIGION
Catholic
Protestant
t-value prob
Professionalism
2.94
2.87
1.609ns
.108
Morality
2.78
2.72
1.426ns
.154
__________________________________________________________
Overall
2.89
2.82
ns – not significant * - significant
** - highly significant
There are no significant differences in the perceptions of
respondents found according to their religion. However, interestingly,
Roman Catholics appear to have a higher esteem of the police in terms of
professionalism (2.94) and morality (2.78) as compared with the
perception of Protestants (2.87 and 2.72, respectively). This could be so
because the Protestants are less compromising of their expectations
towards the police.
Bardes and Oldendick (2000), explained that in the course of
studying the distribution of opinions among religious denomination,
research have found that affiliation with a religion is not a very good
predictor of opinion for many individuals. They also stated that Catholics
differ considerably from the protestant Evangelicals because their views
are considerably more liberal especially on social welfare issues. Leege’s
42
and Welch (1989), as cited by Bardes and Oldendick (2000) confirmed the
general trend for Catholics to be more liberal than the general public.
Statistical results affirmed the null hypothesis.
Sources of Perception Towards the
PNP Uniformed Personnel
The respondents were presented with eleven possible sources of
information where they developed their perceptions towards the PNP.
Table 6 proves that the respondents get information about PNP personnel
from various media.
The table shows that often, the community gets information about
PNP men and women from the media, personal observation,
documentaries, social (family, friends, officemates), public officials, the
policemen themselves and personal experience with the police.
The foremost source of perception is the media. Relatively, Surette
(1998) pointed out that indeed, surveys of the public indicate that up to 95
percent of the public consider the mass media as their main source of
information about crime. Bardes and Oldendick (2000) asserted that the
stories that people found most interesting were those with personal
relevance, those with human interest and those with societal importance.
Mass media in a developing country like the Philippines serves as a
multiplicity of purposes: it is a medium of news entertainment, the source
43
Table 6. Sources of perception about the PNP personnel
SOURCES WEIGHTED ADJECTIVAL RANK
MEAN RATING
Media
3.47
Often
1
Personal Experience with
2.65
Often
7
the police
Social (family, friends, officemates) 2.84
Often
4
Church
2.34
Seldom
10
School
2.48
Seldom
8
NGOs
2.36
Seldom
9
Policemen
2.69
Often
6
Inmates/Prisoners
2.04
Seldom
11
Personal Observation
3.14
Often
2
Public officials
2.70
Often
5
Documentaries
3.04
Often
3
___________________________________________________________
Legend:
Extent
Statistical Limits
Adjectival Rating
4
3.51 - 4.00
Almost Always
3
2.51 - 3.50
Often
2
1.51 - 2.50
Seldom
1
1.00 - 1.50
Almost Never
of information about the world, national and local events, and a means of
establishing mutual understanding. It is a social and cultural influence that
helps form attitudes, establish values and develop a climate for change
(Rosales 2001). The mass media is so powerful because of the fiction
that whatever is printed must be true. People believe what they read,
doubt what they hear and ignore what they are told. If the media says so,
it is generally believed to be so, no matter how dubious the story.
44
Mass media are mirrors which reflect the nature of society in which
they operate. They are mirrors not only in the sense that they report back
what is going out there (Regado, 2001). Mass media’s role in shaping
public opinion matters to a police organization because, ostensibly, these
are two of the powerful societal institutions which interact with each other
in the dynamic, often conflictual processes of democratization and
economic development and whose actions impact effectively on the other
(Baraquel, 2001).
It is a well-known fact that since time immemorial, the media was
already there to expose various issues in the community including what is
taking place in the PNP. Scores of events that transpired in the PNP have
been disclosed to the public and the media reveals more of the
wrongdoings of the police more than the good deeds that they have done.
In this connection, retired PNP Chief, Police Director General Raul M
Bacalzo, believed that the PNP has more good men than what has been
projected by the media, and this is because they are overshadowed by the
few who are incompetent or involved in corruption and abuse.
In the web site Philstar.com asked a question on “How much do
you trust your police force?” some of the following text views were
received:
Most policemen are decent people, but the rotten few get the media
mileage. – Seth Carranza, Catanduanes
45
There are rotten eggs and scalawags in the police force, but I stil trust
the organization. – Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City
Wholeheartedly, because even with a low salary, they risk their lives for
us. Bad eggs excluded! – Romeo Calubat, Masbate
There are undoubtedly many members of the police force that cannot be
trusted. But let us not look at the police only. In our country, there is an
increasing number of people unworthy of trust. And this is a reflection of the
same unworthiness of leadership in different sectoral levels in our society. It is
lamentable that our country has gone this low and the whole world looks at us
with derision. It’s just that police wrongdoing is publicly visible and can’t be
hidden from the media.
On the other hand, the media have also reported about the noble
cops - the brave, dedicated, decent, hardworking, diligent and honest
cops, however, these stories are overshadowed about stories on bad
cops - the rouge, extortionist, kidnappers, carnappers, protectors of illegal
gambling, among others. From time to time, police officers have been
accused for unscrupulous actions in solving crimes, like police abuse,
violation of human rights, harassment, etc., for missing, tampering or
planting evidence, and for not appropriately disposing confiscated
properties (like carnapped and luxury vehicles), for lying under oath to
profit convictions, etc.
Police works are often advertised as fiction or plain entertainment in
books, film and television shows that allege to present the actuality of
police work in an entertainment context. The entertainment media present
an extremely distorted view of the nature of police work, one that stresses
crime fighting, police violence, and individualism (Surette, 1998). Effective
46
law enforcement officers in the entertainment media are those who
eschew routine methods, often violating rules and laws, and take
exceptional measures to solve cases. Accordingly, private investigators
and amateur private citizens prove far more successful in solving
television crimes than in real police work. (Lichter and Lichter, 1983).
Data shows that the second source of perception of the
respondents is personal observation. Policemen render duty on a 24 hour
basis and seven days a week. In this way, the policemen are always
exposed to the scrutinizing public. Every move of the police is seen by the
community and it is easy for the public to comment on any policemen
whom they thought is doing right or wrong. With the publics’ experience
and witnessing of the law enforcers’ moves, their perceptions are shaped.
How people are treated by the uniformed personnel and the behavior they
tangibly see in a police-citizen encounter are factors that could determine
their opinions.
The third source of perception according to the study is
documentary. Documentaries are materials that give factual presentation
in artistic form, like the form of films. In line with this, there are various
documentary films being shown regarding the life of policemen. Likewise,
there are also documentaries shown in the television which affects the
perception of the community towards the policemen. One is the story of
47
SPO4 Jaime Santiago entitled: SPO4 Santiago: Sharpshooter; Santiago
is a recipient of many awards for his commitment and dedication to the
service.
Another documentary regarding a police is the movie entitled
“Target... Police General: Major General Alfredo Lim Story” which was
shown in 1990. The documentary was followed by another movie entitled,
Alfredo Lim: Batas ng Maynila in the year 1995.
The other sources of perception from which the respondents get
information about the PNP are Non-Government Organizations (NGOs),
church and prisoners or inmates, respectively. NGOs are not really
sources of perception towards the police because these offices usually
attend to their business and responsibilities. Unless the NGO is
connected with the PNP or concerned with gathering data regarding the
police, then said NGO could be a source of perception.
The church is the second to the last source of perception of the
respondents. Usually, the priest or pastor would not make the police as an
example during sermons. Priests and pastors are there to bring closer the
people to God and not to mar the image of other people the community.
Inmates or prisoners are as the least source of perception. More
likely when the relatives and friends of the inmates visit them, they would
48
talk more about family-related matters and not talk about the uniformed
personnel.
Perceptions of PNP Uniformed Personnel
Towards Themselves Along Professionalism and Morality
The affirmative facets of law enforcement profession are well
recognized to those who belong and have served. Policemen know their
duties and responsibilities as well the positive and negative points
attached to it. Majority of the members of the police force are exerting
effort to put the PNP in a better image. Officers in the higher echelon of
the PNP are studying various ways to improve the organization to achieve
the expectations of the community. Aronson (2000) pointed out that
psychologically one of the major goals of people is maintaining and
enhancing their view of themselves.
Table 7 shows the level of perception of policemen towards
themselves along professionalism and morality. Accordingly, police
perceived themselves at a slightly higher level on police professionalism
(3.50) than morality (3.43).
Police Professionalism
Police respondents indeed regard themselves to be committed to
their vocation. Entering the police service is not a straightforward task.
49
Table 7. Self-perception of PNP personnel
NUMBER OF WEIGHTED MEAN ADJECTIVAL
RESPONDENT RATING
Professionalism 357
3.50
Agree
Morality
357
3.43
Agree
Overall
357
3.44
___________________________________________________________
Legend:
Extent Statistical Limit Adjective Rating
4
3.51 – 4.00
Strongly Agree
3
2.51 – 3.50
Agree
2
1.51 – 2.50
Disagree
1
1.00 – 1.50
Strongly Disagree
The qualification to become a policeman is upgraded. Republic Act 8551,
otherwise known as the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998,
mandates that one basic requirement for an applicant to be appointed in
the PNP is a baccalaureate degree. In addition, an applicant must have
passed the board examination commensurate to his/her degree or must
possess other eligibilities such as the Police Officer Entrance examination
from the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM). Age is also a factor
in the screening, in which the applicant must be between the ages 21-30
years old. There are numerous applicants and they undergo a grueling
screening by the recruitment board. After the initial screening, the
50
applicants undergo agility test, medical and dental test, neuro-psychiatric
exam, drug test and finally the board interview.
Upon recruitment, the new policeman has to undergo six months
academic phase of the Public Safety Field Training Program (PSFTP)
followed by another six months field training in the areas of investigation,
traffic and patrol. After a year in a temporary status in the PNP service,
one undergoes a whole range of training, seminars and schoolings such
as on public relations, leadership, disaster management, administrative
matters and others. Aside from these, one could undergo specialty
courses on explosives ordnance disposal, forensics, investigation, traffic,
intelligence, finance, and counterinsurgency, Pekiti-Tirsia, Special
Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and Special Counterinsurgency Operations
Unit Training (SCOUT), among others. Likewise, there are mandatory
courses for the various levels in the police career such as Public Safety
Junior Leadership Course (PSJLC), Public Safety Senior Leadership
Course (PSSLC), Public Safety Officers Candidate Course (PSOCC),
Public Safety Basic Officers Course (PSOBC), Public Safety Officers
Advance Course PSOAC), Public Safety Officers Executive Course
(PSOSEC). Apart from these trainings, several policemen are also
graduates of master’s degrees as well as doctorate degrees. With all
these schoolings and training undergone by the police, they become
51
skilled and competent in the different aspects of police work. This
substantiates what Obrera (2001) pointed out that the PNP personnel
possess the commitment, competence, and are principled - the indicators
of professionalism. Likewise, it proves what Mayhill (1985) as cited by
Shusta, et. al. (1995) stated that professionals do not stop with graduation
from a school or program; such only begins the process for continuing
education. High-performing peace officers take responsibility for this.
Additionally, Mayhill asserted that for professionalism to grow in law
enforcement, he advocated not only greater technical skills training, but
higher educational attainments as well as the setting of goals for career
development.
Morality
Section 3 of the PNP Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical
Standards Manual states that on Morality, PNP members shall adhere to
high standard of morality and decency and shall set good example for
others to follow.
What may account for the police esteem on morality can arise as
well from the PNP Integrated Transformation Program (ITP) which aims to
enhance the image of the police and bring back its glory like in the olden
days. With this aim, there had been many modifications of police policies
made by the higher echelon. One is the disciplinary system wherein there
52
are various bodies that could prosecute the police such as the Internal
Affairs Service (IAS), National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM),
People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) and the Directorate for
Investigation and Detective Management. With the presence of these
various disciplinary bodies, it is installed in each PNP uniformed personnel
to stay away from trouble as much as he could to avoid prosecution. To be
suspended would mean the forfeiture of salary, bonuses and other
benefits and the other psychologically negative effects of suspension.
It is not denied that there are some policemen who are actually
involved in extra marital affairs and having children outside of wedlock.
Nevertheless, majority of the policemen believe that the family should not
be marred with the integration of a stranger, as it is a foundation that
should be kept pure. Likewise, some policemen are also involved in illegal
activities, however there are only few compared to the majority who are
living a decent and virtuous life. For the year 2011, records show that at
the Police Regional Office-Cordillera, there is only one uniformed
personnel who was administratively charged for immoral acts.
Policemen agree that they adhere to the code of professionalism
and morality as expected by the society. Results of this study contradict
the finding of Pilar (2000) that police officers are perceived to be corrupt,
relaxed, lousy, scalawags, corrupt, respected before, now no more,
53
regimented and authoritarian. On the other hand, the following were
perceived to be the positive characteristics of the police: guardian of
peace, protector of people, protector of human rights and protector of
peace and order. Another research of Pilar in the same year among the
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) elements revealed that the values
they are expecting that the ideal police should reflect are the following:
God-fearing, religiously guided by his devotion to God, so immoral acts
are avoided because if the police fears God, they would not sin and
therefore be good as police officers.
Perception of Policemen
Besides ascertaining the overall self-perception among the PNP
men and women, their perceptions were compared according to rank and
years in service.
Rank
As pointed earlier, the ranks were classified into four: Police
Officers (POs), Senior Police Officers (SPOs), Junior Police
Commissioned Officers (Jr. PCOs) and Senior Police Commissioned
Officers (Sr. PCOs). Table 8 presents the level of perception of policemen
on professionalism and morality.
54
Table 8. Level of perception of policemen on professionalism and morality
according to their rank
RANK
Sr. PCO Jr PCO Sr. PNCO PO F-value prob.
___________________________________________________________
Professionalism 3.35 3.49 3.52 3.52 1.74ns .158
Morality 3.29 3.38 3.47 3.49 2.16ns .092
___________________________________________________________
Overall 3.33 3.45 3.50 3.49
___________________________________________________________
ns – not significant * - significant ** - not significant
The overall finding yielded a non-significant t-value both for
professionalism and morality. This means that whether one is a Senior
Police Commissioned Officer (Police Senior Superintendents and Police
Superintendents), Junior Police Commissioned Officer (Police Chief
Inspectors, Police Senior Inspectors and Police Inspectors), Senior Police
Non-Commissioned Officer (Senior Police Officer 1 – 4) and a Police
Officer (Police Officers 1 – 3), the way they regarded themselves do not
differ.
The findings are contrary to that of Obrera (2001), who found that
Police Non-Commissioned Officers have a higher mean for commitment.
Obrera’s finding could be attributed to the fact that non-commissioned
police officers are working on field duty and often times exposed to
55
challenging situations which demand their services even beyond the call
of duty.
It can be gleaned from the study that apparently the younger
generation of policemen perceives that the PNP uniformed personnel to
be indeed committed to their profession and are morally principled as
compared to those who are longer in the service. The difference in the
mean scores however is not significant. The findings affirmed that the
hypothesis do not have significant differences.
Years in Service
The police respondents were classified arbitrarily according to their
years in service such as 1-5 years, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, 21-25 and 26
years and above. Table 9 shows the level of perception of policemen on
professionalism and morality according to the years in service.
Findings disclosed that the years in service do not affect the
perception of the police towards themselves for both professionalism and
morality.
Relatively, the study of Obrera (2001), disclosed that there was no
significant difference in the perceived level of commitment according to
length of service. This implies that length of service did not affect the
perceived level of commitment of the police personnel.
56
Table 9. Level of perception of policemen on professionalism and morality
according to the years in service
__________________________________________________________
YEARS IN SERVICE
1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-Above F- value
________________________________________________________________
Professionalism 3.56 3.53 3.47 3.50 3.50 3.44 .566ns
Morality 3.55 3.45 3.43 3.42 3.43 3.30 1.342ns
________________________________________________________________
ns – not significant * - significant ** - not significant
Young policemen or those who are new in the service give more value to
the PNP uniformed personnel because they saw the Philippine National
Police as a reputable and valued public service organization. Likewise,
the young policemen are high-spirited and idealistic individuals. They
esteem the police force with high regard as; they still have no point of
comparison due to their lack of exposure to the older policemen
particularly those involved in illegal activities. They also have a shorter
time in the organization thus; they could not yet perceive some of the
downbeat realities of police life. Moreover, the young policemen could
have been influenced by the professionally and morally principled older
policemen. Carter (1994) emphasized that generally speaking, police
officers expect higher standards of behavior from their peers than from
members of the general society.
The findings also disclosed that as policemen stay longer in the
service their regard for the uniformed personnel somehow dwindles. This
57
is so because they have had a wider exposure to the ins and outs of the
PNP, as well as a more extensive encounter with various positions and
responsibilities. Moreover, they have discerned the unconstructive issues
in the organization’s system which could not have transpired. They have
perceived that they were not involved in the planning of the organization’s
policies, as the PNP is a top to bottom kind of management. With these, it
causes disillusionment to the policemen who stayed longer in the service.
Correspondingly, policemen who were longer in the service also
experienced several kinds of temptations along their police career. The
police, usually the males are being assigned in various places far from
their families. In this instance, temptation is not remote from approaching
them which could be on financial matters and possibly infidelity.
On the other hand, this researcher was curious to treat the data at
hand for correlation. Using the Spearman Rank Correlation, it surfaced
that there exists a relationship between the length of service and the
perception of the respondents towards police professionalism and
morality. Findings are presented on Table 10.
In terms of police professionalism, it was found out that there is no
relationship of the length of service and the respondents’ perspective.
Conversely, there is a significant negative correlation when it comes to
police morality. It indicates that the uniformed personnel who are younger
58
Table 10. Level of perception of policemen on professionalism and
morality according to the years in service using correlation
PROFESSIONALISM MORALITY
___________________________________________________________
Years in Service
- 0.064ns
- .116*
___________________________________________________________
ns – not significant
* - significant ** - highly significant
Legend:
Value of r
Strength of Relationship
-1.0 to -0.5 or 1.0 to 0.5
Strong
-0.5 to -0.3 or 0.3 to 0.5
Moderate
-0.3 to 0.1 or 0.1 to 0.3
Weak
-0.1 to 0.2
none or very weak
in the service perceive that policemen are steadfast to their calling as law
enforcers and are ethical compared to the perception of policemen who
are longer in the service.
The findings have implications on the ethical behavior as one stays
longer in the service. Does it mean that policemen get to be scalawags
and become calloused to despicable behaviors, as they stay longer in the
service?
Comparative Perception of Police
Professionalism and Morality
Lastly, this researcher purported to ascertain how the community’s
perception as compared with that of the PNP personnel along the issues
on police professionalism and morality.
59
Table 11. Level of perception of the community and police on
professionalism and morality
GROUP
Civilian Police t-value prob.
Professionalism 2.91
3.50 19.78** .000
Morality
2.76 3.43
19.41** .000
___________________________________________________________
Overall
2.85 3.47 19.41** .000
___________________________________________________________
ns – not significant * - significant
** - highly significant
Psychologists remind us that the image we have of our role affects
not only our behavior but also the behavior of those to whom we project
this image (Shusta, et al, 1995). Table 11 shows that the community’s
perception towards the police on professionalism is significantly lower as
compared with the police. Similarly, in terms of morality, the civilians have
a lower regard on the police as when equated with the uniformed
personnel.
Accordingly, person perception can be influenced by a number of
factors including the characteristics of the person being observed and the
circumstances of the situation and personal characteristics of the one
observing. Some people form impressions of others very promptly with the
least information they have. Commonly, people base their impressions on
60
the roles and social norms expected from other people. Likewise, physical
cues play an important role in the formation of impressions. Relevance of
the information of people being observed is also significant in the
formation of impressions. Generally, people focus on the most obvious
points rather than taking note of the background information. The more
the unusual or observable the factor is, the more likely it will be focused
on.
In the light of perceptions on the PNP, reported untoward incidents
by the PNP remain more in the minds of the public. Unfortunately, when
they would have made good, the public would say it is a part of their job.
On Professionalism
The policemen and women significantly perceived themselves to be
consistent to the expectations of their profession, as they believe that they
are performing their duties and responsibilities in accordance to the
policies and what they are expected by the community to do. According to
Greenwald and Breckler (2000) as cited by Aronson (2000), the presented
self is usually too good to be true; the too good self is often genuinely
believed.
On the contrary, findings prove that the community opposes what
the policemen claim themselves to be, it is showed by the community’s
61
low esteem of the uniformed personnel which is much lower than how the
latter regarded themselves.
A similar finding was found by Galino (2002) in his study that along
law enforcement, police respondents perceive their role performance as
“very efficient”; on the other hand, the civilian respondents perceive the
role performance of the police along law enforcement as “mere efficient”.
Likewise, police respondents feel that the police perform their role along
peace and order maintenance to be “very efficient” however, the civilian
respondents consider the police as performing their role along peace and
order maintenance as “efficient”.
Lacson (1998) pointed out that the lack of professionalism among
police officers become a bottleneck in the effective enforcement of the
law. While it is true that only a small percentage of the PNP are
“scalawags”, one “scalawag” brings the entire PNP down.
Interacting with citizens constitute an important part of a police
officer’s daily activities. Many aspects of these interactions have the
potential for influencing how the police and citizens perceive and evaluate
each other. More citizens often bring to the interaction an array of
attitudes and preconceived notions about the police and their conduct that
sometimes are inaccurate. There is a paucity of information regarding
specific dimensions of the police. Citizen communication that enhances or
62
impedes police efficiency adversely affects the way citizens feel about the
police. Research has shown that citizens who have negative contacts with
the police, as compared to those who do not, have more negative
attitudes toward the police (White, Cox and Basehart, 1994).
One of the setbacks that caused the public to have a negative
perception toward the police is the rising number of crimes being
perpetrated in the community. People tend to believe that the higher the
crimes committed means the police are not doing their jobs to deter it.
According to one Opinion column of the Manila Times dated
September 28, 2008, it pointed that the professionalism of the PNP along
with modernization, ought to be the second badge of the career police
officer. The challenge of professionalism requires a renewal in values
and attitudes, a transformation in character and sense of vision. In a
speech during the celebration of PNP Day, then President Fidel Ramos,
observed that many policemen regard their work as temporary and a
stepping –stone to crime. The involvement of many police
superintendents and police officers – active, retired or dismissed from the
service - attests to his insightful observation.
The finding of this study implies that although the community
agrees that policemen are devoted to their calling and are morally
63
principled, nevertheless, the community regards the policemen on a lower
altitude as compared to how the policemen view themselves.
On Morality
Table 11 also points that the community’s perception towards
police morality is significantly lower as compared to that of the police. The
police rated themselves towering over the assessment that the community
appraised them. Aronson (2000) emphasized that in general, people rate
themselves more positively than others do, believing that they themselves
are “better than average”.
Baron and Byrne (1977) pointed out that once we have decided,
however rightly or wrongly-that another person possesses certain traits,
we often seem quite reluctant to alter these judgments.
This finding can be explained by the fact that the general public is a
heavy consumer of media publicity. The tri-media often features erring
policemen in their articles and TV shows which negatively affect the
perception of the community towards the law enforcers.
Sometimes, people tend to believe what they have heard
particularly from acquaintances even without proving it and without actual
encounter with the police. With this, their perception of the police is
already damaging making them aloof to the uniformed men. Asch (1946)
64
asserted that people seem to assign greater importance to the information
about others which were obtained first. Such primary effects seem to
explain why it is so hard to alter impressions of others once they are
formed, and why we often strive so hard to make a good impression on
other persons.
The conduct and general behavior of the PNP personnel were
given great attention. Expectations from all sectors of the land are high as
the police are daily seen on the streets every day and the PNP has the
greatest number of personnel as compared to all the other government
agencies in the Philippines. Evidently, if citizens feel that the police are
brutal, incompetent, or corrupt, then their perception towards the police
will always be at an all-time low rating.
In the assumption speech of then Chief, Philippine National Police,
Police General Raul M Bacalzo, “he stated that the police needs to revive
the virtues of discipline and courtesy, good manners and right conduct that
are the hallmarks of a public servant and essential to being good citizens.”
Likewise, August Vollmer, recognized as the Father of Police
Professionalism, pronounced that “the average citizen expects the police
officer to have the wisdom of Solomon, the courage of David, the strength
of Samson, the patience of Job, the leadership of Moses, the faith of
Daniel, the diplomacy of Lincoln, the tolerance of the Carpenter of
65
Nazareth, the kindness of the Good Samaritan, and finally, an intimate
knowledge of every branch of natural, biological, and social sciences. If he
possesses all these qualities, then, he might be a good policeman.”
As established by the result of the study, the null hypothesis that
there is no significant difference between the perception of the community
and uniformed personnel is affirmed.
The researcher was also interested to know if there is a difference
on the perception of the respondents on professionalism and morality as a
whole. Table 12 shows the comparison of professionalism and morality as
perceived by the community and police respondents.
Statistical analysis shows that the community and the police
significantly rated professionalism higher than morality. This is most likely
so because the uniformed men works in accordance with what is expected
of them as shown in the result of the study. Likewise, the study also
shows that morally, the community agrees that the uniformed personnel
measure up to their expectation. Morality is deemed a personal choice of
a person which could not totally affect the professional performance of the
police.
66
Table 12. Comparison of professionalism and morality as rated by the
community and police respondents
Professionalism
Morality
t-value prob.
Overall 3.15
3.04 11.80** 0.00
ns – not significant * - significant
** - highly significant
67
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
The study evaluated the community and the uniformed personnel’s
perception towards the PNP uniformed personnel along police
professionalism and morality. Specifically, it determined how the
community’s perceptions differ according to their role in the community
such as being students, professionals and laymen, according to their sex
and religion. The study also established the sources of perception towards
the police; determined what perceptions do the PNP uniformed personnel
have towards themselves; established the policemen’s perception towards
themselves according to their rank and years and service; and compared
the community’s perception with that of the PNP uniformed personnel.
The study was conducted in La Trinidad, Benguet. There were 357
policemen respondents, 144 professionals, and 184 students. The study
used a questionnaire that was pilot tested. The data were summarized,
tabulated and statistically analyzed using the frequency count, weighted
mean, percentages, t-test, and analysis of variance. Comparisons were
made at 0.5 level of significance.
The following are the significant findings of the study:
68
1. On the perception of the community towards the PNP uniformed
personnel, it was found out that the community approved that the
policemen adhere to the code of their profession and are morally upright.
2. The students significantly agreed that the PNP personnel were
dedicated to their profession and were morality principled than their adult
counterparts - the professionals and laypeople.
3. Men and women in the community equally said that PNP
uniformed personnel fair well in their profession and are moral.
4. The Roman Catholics and Protestants agreed that the
uniformed personnel were professional and were ethical.
5. Media, personal observation, documentaries, social (family,
friends, officemates), public officials and the police themselves were often
the sources of perception about the PNP personnel.
6. As established by the result of the study, it was found out that
the community’s perception towards the police was significantly different
from the perception of the police towards themselves.
7. Regardless of their rank, the PNP men and women agreed that
they consistently adhered to their profession and were moral.
8. Those who had stayed longer in the service did not perceive
themselves to be significantly more moral than the younger officers.
69
9. The PNP men and women regarded themselves to be
significantly more professional and moral than the community did.
Conclusions
Based on the results and findings, the following conclusions are
derived:
1. The community agrees that the policemen adhere to the code of
their profession when carrying out their duties and are morally upright.
2. Significant differences in the perception of police professionalism
and morality differ according to the role in the community.
3. The sex and religion of the community do not affect how they
perceive police professionalism and morality.
4. Information about the PNP men and women come from various
sources but the most influential source is the media.
5. There is a positive self-perception of the PNP personnel along
professionalism and morality.
6. The PNP personnel’s rank does not bear any significant
difference on their perception of professionalism and morality.
7. The self-perception of police professionalism and morality is not
influenced by years of service.
70
8. The status of the respondents - as member of the community or
PNP personnel influences their perception about police professionalism
and morality.
Recommendations
Based on the findings and conclusions, the researcher proposes
following recommendations:
1. To further enhance the image of the PNP, the media can help by
continuously publishing the accomplishments of the PNP personnel be it
great or small. This can be done through the crafting of broadcast
materials on the PNP programs to be aired on the TV screen (CD herein
attached).
2. There is a need to produce flyers regarding PNP programs to be
distributed to the public during school visits, lectures, symposia, medical
and dental outreach, ugnayan sa barangay, Inter-sports activities, PNP
foundation day and during socio-cultural and religious events (Example at
Appendix “F”) .
3. A PNP calendar should be distributed to the community to
inform the public of the various programs of the PNP which could possibly
help improve the image of the police (Example at Appendix “G”).
71
4. In order to address the problem on the negative image of the
PNP, more information drive on the PNP programs to the different sectors
of the society needs to be intensified to make the public aware of the
various PNP programs.
5. Imperative to the success of the PNP’s endeavor is the support
of the community. The present programs of the PNP on police community
relations such as ugnayan sa barangay, school visits, lectures, symposia,
medical and dental outreach, Inter-sports activities, and socio-cultural and
religious events needs to be strengthened.
6. The PNP is the biggest government organization however; the
police capabilities in terms of operations, investigation and intelligence
need to be enhanced which can help build the trust and confidence of the
public towards the PNP particularly the uniformed personnel. This can be
achieved through the availability of state-of-the art equipment in every
police station to be used in the prevention and solution of crimes.
7. A seminar for the policemen and their wives should be
conducted for the spouses of the police to better understand the people
they have married. This aims to strengthen the relationship of the police
and their spouses. A project proposal entitled “Seminar on Police Family
and Marriage” to be requested for funding is found on Appendix “H”.
72
8. Other studies may be conducted in other regions to ascertain if
the perception of the public towards the police is comparable with the
community’s perception in La Trinidad, Benguet, as well as include other
variables for comparison. This could be used as a basis in the
implementation or continuation of PNP programs to improve the image of
the police.
73
LITERATURE CITED
Annual Accomplishment Report 2009. Philippine National Police. Page 1
ARONSON, E. 1992. The Social Animal. 6th Ed. New York: W.H. Freeman
and Company
BARAQUEL, R. 2001. The role of media in shaping public opinion, in
Public Safety Dimensions and Concerns. H. Lorenzo and
A. Piga (eds). Quezon City, Philippines: Institute of Strategic
and International Studies, Pp. 102-105.
BARDES, B. AND R. OLDENDICK. 2000. Public Opinion Measuring the
American Mind. USA: Wadsworth Thomson Learning
BARON, R and D. BYRNE. 1977. Social Psychology: Understanding
Human Interaction. 2nd Ed. Boston, Massachusetts: Allyn and
Bacon Inc.
Carol Gilligan and the Morality of Care. http:/tigger.uic.edu/~Inucci/
MoralEd/overview.html. October 21, 2011
CARTER. D. 1994. Police disciplinary procedures: A review of selected
police departments, in Police Deviance. T. Barker and D. Carter
(eds). Ohio: Anderson Publishing Co. Pp 355-373
GALINO, R. 2002. Role Performance of the Police and the Community as
Correlates of Police Community Relations. Unpublished Master’s
Thesis, Baguio Colleges Foundation, Baguio City
KELLY, WA. 1965. Educational Psychology. Quezon City, Manila: EDCA
Publishing and Distributing Corporation.
Mass Media. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_media
MYERS, DG. 2002. Social Psychology. New York: Mc-Graw –Hill
Companies., Inc.
74
OBRERA, M. 2001.The Professionalism of the Baguio City Police Office
Personnel. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. University of Baguio.
Baguio City
Philippine Civil Service Employee Handbook. 1993. Quezon City
PETRAS, J. 2007. Status of the Community Policing in Baguio City.
Unpublished Master’s Thesis. University of Baguio. Baguio City
PILAR, N. 2000. PNP Civilization: Some Conceptual and Practical
Insights. Public Safety Review, Maiden Issue. National Police
College, Manila.
Philippine National Police Ethics and Values Formation Manual. Quezon
City
Philippine National Police. The Legacy: PDG Jesus A Verzosa Tour of
Duty Report 2011. (5 and 7):71
Philippine National Police Journal. 3rd Qtr. 2011. Changing of the Guards
Page 22
Philippine National Police. PNP Patrol Plan 2030. Revalida Report.
October 2011
Philippine Civil Service. 1993. Employee Handbook. Civil Service
Commission.
Police Digest. 2011 The Official Newsletter of the Philippine National
Police. Page 9
PNP Integrated Transformation Program. Leaflet by the PNP Program
Management Office
REGADO, E. 2001. The Leadership Role of the Media, in Public
Safety Dimensions and Concerns. H. Lorenzo, and, A. Piga.
Editors. 2001. Public Safety: Dimensions and Concerns. Institute of
Strategic and International Studies.
75
ROSALES, R. 2001. The influence of media, in Public Safety
Dimensions and Concerns. H. Lorenzo, and, A. Piga. Editors. 2001.
Public Safety: Dimensions and Concerns. Institute of Strategic and
International Studies.
SANTIAGO:SHARPSHOOTER. http://video48.blogspot.com/2010/08/
spo4-santiago-sharpshooter-1996.html
SHUSTA,R, M. et al. 1995. Multicultural Law Enforcement Strategies for
Peacekeeping in a Diverse Society. Prentice-Hall Inc.
SURETTE,1998. http://www.theiacp.org/PoliceServices/Professional/
Assistance/ ThePublicImageofthePolice/tabid/198/Default.asp.
Accessed on November 1, 2011
The Chief’s Focus. Association of Chiefs of the Philippines, Inc. 3rd Issue
2009. Page 95
TROJANOWICX, R and B. BUCQUEROUX. 1990. Community Policing; A
Contemporary Perspective. Cincinnati, Ohio: Anderson Publishing
Company.
WHITE, M, T. COX and J. BASEHART. 1994. Theoretical considerations
of officer profanity and obscenity in formal contacts with citizens in,
Police Deviance. T. Barker and D. Carter (eds). Ohio: Anderson
Publishing Co.Pp -244.
Philippine National Police. http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=
Philippine National_Police#History. March 24, 2011.
The Public Image of the Police. www.theiacp.org/PoliceServices/Executive
Services/ProfessionalAssistance/ThePublicImageofhtePolice/tabid/
198/Default.asp. Accessed on October 30, 2011
The Media, the Public, and the Law Enforcement Community: Correcting
Misperceptions. http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/
Index.cfm?fuseaction=displayarch&article1828&issue. Accessed
on October 30, 2011
76
Appendix A
Letter to the Heads of Offices
FE082 Mamaga, Balili
La Trinidad, Benguet
June 27, 2011
HON. GREGORIO T ABALOS JR.
Municipal Mayor
La Trinidad, Benguet
Sir:
Greetings.
The undersigned is a Master in Human Resource Development student of
the BSU Open University and assigned with the Regional Public Safety
Battalion, Police Regional Office – Cordillera located at Camp Bado
Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet. Currently, I am conducting my Master’s
Thesis entitled “Police Professionalism and Morality: A Philippine National
Police Revitalization Guide”.
In this regard, may I respectfully request your approval for the
undersigned to administer questionnaires to some of your subordinates to
gather the data needed in my research?
Thank you.
Respectfully yours,
THRISLYN CELOY SAGPAEY
Noted by:
LEONILA R SITO
Adviser
77
FE082 Mamaga, Balili
La Trinidad, Benguet
June 27, 2011
HON. NESTOR B FONGWAN
Provincial Governor
Benguet Province
La Trinidad, Benguet
Sir:
Greetings.
The undersigned is a Master in Human Resource Development student of
the BSU Open University and assigned with the Regional Public Safety
Battalion, Police Regional Office – Cordillera located at Camp Bado
Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet. Currently, I am conducting my Master’s
Thesis entitled “Police Professionalism and Morality: A Philippine National
Police Revitalization Guide”.
In this regard, may I respectfully request your approval for the
undersigned to administer questionnaires to some of your subordinates to
gather the data needed in my research?
Thank you.
Respectfully yours,
THRISLYN CELOY SAGPAEY
Noted by:
LEONILA R SITO
Adviser
78
FE082 Mamaga, Balili
La Trinidad, Benguet
June 27, 2011
DR. ROGELIO COLTING
President
Benguet State University
La Trinidad, Benguet
Sir:
Greetings.
The undersigned is a MHRD student of the BSU Open University and
assigned with the Regional Public Safety Battalion, Police Regional Office
– Cordillera located at Camp Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet.
Currently, I am conducting my Master’s Thesis entitled “Police
Professionalism and Morality: A Philippine National Police Revitalization
Guide”.
In this regard, may I respectfully request your approval for the
undersigned to administer questionnaires to some of the high school and
college students, as well as your subordinates to gather the data needed
in my research?
Thank you.
Respectfully yours,
THRISLYN CELOY SAGPAEY
Noted by:
LEONILA R SITO
Adviser
79
FE082 Mamaga, Balili
La Trinidad, Benguet
June 27, 2011
ATTY. ROMEO G GUMPIC
OIC, President
Cordillera Career Development College
Buyagan, La Trinidad, Benguet
Sir:
Greetings.
The undersigned is a Master in Human Resource Development student of
the BSU Open University and assigned with the Regional Public Safety
Battalion, Police Regional Office – Cordillera located at Camp Bado
Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet. Currently, I am conducting my Master’s
Thesis entitled “Police Professionalism and Morality: A Philippine National
Police Revitalization Guide”.
In this regard, may I respectfully request your approval for the
undersigned to administer questionnaires to some of your high school and
college students, as well as your subordinates to gather the data needed
in my research?
Thank you.
Respectfully yours,
THRISLYN CELOY SAGPAEY
Noted by:
LEONILA R SITO
Adviser
81
Appendix C
Letter to the Respondents
FE082 Mamaga, Balili
La Trinidad, Benguet
June 27, 2011
Dear Respondents:
Greetings.
The undersigned is a Master in Human Resource Development student of
the BSU Open University and assigned with the Regional Public Safety
Battalion, Police Regional Office – Cordillera located at Camp Bado
Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet. Currently, I am conducting my Master’s
Thesis entitled “Police Professionalism and Morality: A Philippine National
Police Revitalization Guide”.
In this regard, may I respectfully request you to please answer every item?
Rest assured that your answers would be treated with utmost
confidentiality and for research purposes only.
Respectfully yours,
THRISLYN CELOY SAGPAEY
Noted by:
LEONILA R SITO
Adviser
82
Appendix D
Questionnaire for Civilian Respondents
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE
PART I. Personal Information
Name (optional): _______________________________ Sex__________
Religion: Roman Catholic ( ) Protestant ( ) Others ( )
Your role: Student ( ) Professional ( )
Other sectors in the community : Pls. specify: ____________
PART II. Research Study
Instruction: On the blank provided after each item, please put a check
mark ( ) on the column that best describes your honest perception of the
police.
Strongly Agree Disagree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
1. The policemen enforce the
laws of the land like preventing
and controlling crimes.
2. The policemen foster
teamwork among themselves.
3. The policemen are
determined to do their
assigned tasks.
4. The policemen are service-
oriented
5. The policemen enforce the
laws without fear or favor.
6. The policemen are to put
public interest above their own.
7. The policemen are
responsible.
8. The policemen are
industrious
83
9. The policemen are God-
fearing (maka Diyos).
10. The policemen are
humane (Makatao).
11. The policemen are
nationalistic (makabayan).
12. The policemen are
environmental- friendly
(makakalikasan).
13. The policemen respond
appropriately to the public.
14. The policemen are not
abusing their authority
15. The policemen are not
coddlers of criminals
16. The policemen are
physically fit and well-
groomed.
17. The policemen
follow/adhere to laws, rules
and orders
18. The policemen do their job
with intelligence
19. The policemen are reliable
in times of crisis
(disaster/calamities)
20. The policemen respect
marriage; they are faithful
in their relationship
21. The policemen value their
family life.
22. The policemen are good
stewards of material things.
23. The policemen are
truthful/trusted in their
dealings.
24. The Policemen are fair.
25. The policemen are sincere
in rendering their service.
26. The policemen are
courteous.
84
27. The policemen are
disciplined.
28. The policemen are not
extortionists
29. The policemen fight for
what is right
30. The policemen are morally
upright.
Part III.
Considering your answers in Part II, how did you come to think that the
PNP uniformed personnel are such?
Instruction: From what sources do you get your perception or views of the
police (whether these are positive or negative, correct or wrong). Please
put a check mark
( ) on the space provided to indicate your source of information.
Almost
Often Seldom
Almost
Always
Never
1. Media (TV, radio, print), etc
2. Personal experience with
the police
3. Social (family,
friends, Schoolmates, church
mates and officemates)
4. Church
5. School
6. Non-Government
Organizations (NGO’s)
7. Policemen themselves
8. Inmates/Prisoners
9. Personal observation
10. Public Officials
11. Documentaries/Reports
85
Appendix E
Questionnaire for Police Respondents
PART I. Personal Information
Name (optional): ________________________________ Sex: _______
Rank : PO ( ) SPO ( ) Junior PCO ( ) Senior PCO ( )
Years in the Service: ____________
PART II. Research Study
Instruction: On the blank provided after each item, please put a check
mark ( ) on the column that best describes your honest perception of the
police.
Strongly Agree Disagree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
1. The policemen enforce the
laws of the land like preventing
and controlling crimes.
2. The policemen foster
teamwork among themselves.
3. The policemen are
determined to do their
assigned tasks.
4. The policemen are service-
oriented
5. The policemen enforce the
laws without fear or favor.
6. The policemen are to put
public interest above their own.
7. The policemen are
responsible.
8. The policemen are
industrious
9. The policemen are God-
fearing (maka Diyos).
86
10. The policemen are
humane (Makatao).
11. The policemen are
nationalistic (makabayan).
12. The policemen are
environmental- friendly
(makakalikasan).
13. The policemen respond
appropriately to the public.
14. The policemen are not
abusing their authority
15. The policemen are not
coddlers of criminals
16. The policemen are
physically fit and well-
groomed.
17. The policemen
follow/adhere to laws, rules
and orders
18. The policemen do their job
with intelligence
19. The policemen are reliable
in times of crisis
(disaster/calamities)
20. The policemen respect
marriage; they are faithful
in their relationship
21. The policemen value their
family life.
22. The policemen are good
stewards of material things.
23. The policemen are
truthful/trusted in their
dealings.
24. The Policemen are fair.
25. The policemen are sincere
in rendering their service.
26. The policemen are
courteous.
27. The policemen are
disciplined.
87
28. The policemen are not
extortionists
29. The policemen fight for
what is right
30. The policemen are morally
upright.
Part III.
Considering your answers in Part II, how did you come to think that the
PNP uniformed personnel are such?
Instruction: From what sources do you get your perception or views of the
police (whether these are positive or negative, correct or wrong). Please
put a check mark
( ) on the space provided to indicate your source of information.
Almost
Often Seldom
Almost
Always
Never
1. Media (TV, radio, print), etc
2. Personal experience with
the police
3. Social (family,
friends, Schoolmates, church
mates and officemates)
4. Church
5. School
6. Non-Government
Organizations (NGO’s)
7. Policemen themselves
8. Inmates/Prisoners
9. Personal observation
10. Public Officials
11. Documentaries/Reports
88
Appendix F
Sample of a Flyer
89
Appendix G
Sample of a PNP calendar
90
Appendix H
PROJECT PROPOSAL
Seminar on Police Family and Marriage
Introduction
The family is the core unit of the society. It is an institution that can
be found anywhere. It is a group that exists everywhere. Undeniably, the
policeman/woman is part of this core unit. Likewise, policemen are
everywhere. People see them along the streets rendering their duties.
They serve the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Being a member of a society, the policemen have their own family –
a wife and child/children. Policemen need to be understood of their rights
and responsibilities particularly by the family.
Just like any other person, the police have an image to protect.
One wrong move of one policeman oftentimes is known by the community
thereby affecting their perceptions towards the other members of the
organization.
A recent study on the PNP uniformed personnel’s image on
professionalism and morality was conducted. The study showed that the
community regarded the police at a low level on the following points:
“respect for marriage, not abusing authority, not criminal coddlers, and not
extortionists”.
To improve the police image and to strengthen the relationship of
the police and his family, the wife/ husband needs to be informed about
whom they married – the PNP law enforcer. To achieve this, a seminar is
needed to be conducted for the wives/husbands of the law enforcers.
Objectives:
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the training, the participants would be able to:
a. understand the nature of the police and police work
91
b. have a better understanding on family and marriage
c. have a better relationship with one’s spouse
Methodology:
a. Lectures
b. Open forum
c. workshop
Administrative and Budgetary Requirements
Training Venue
Laptop
LCD
Training Kit
Notebooks - 48 pax x P10.00
=
P480.00
Ballpens
- 48 pax x P 7.00
=
336.00
Manila Paper 20 pcs x 5.00
=
100.00
Pentelpen
20 pcs x P60.00
= 1,200.00
Materials for icebreakers/openers
= 1,000.00
Meals
Snacks 48 pax x 20.00 x 4
=
960.00
6 fax x 20.00 x 4
= 120.00
Lunch 48 pax x 85.00 x 2
=
4,080.00
6 fax x 85.00 x 2
= 510.00
Honorarium for speakers 3 x P1,000.00 = 3,000.00
________
TOTAL P11,786.00
Training Schedule
The venue would be at Log Cabin, PRO-COR, La Trinidad
Date to be scheduled.
92
Coordinating Instructions
a. Regional Comptroller Division to fund the training.
b. Police Provincial Offices, Baguio City Police Office and
Regional Public Safety Battalion to send three uniformed
personnel each and their wives/husband to attend the training
c. RPHRDD to man the training.
Prepared by:
THRISLYN CELOY SAGPAEY
Police Senior Inspector
PCR Officer, RPSB
93
PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION
Day Time
Topic
Remarks
1st
8:00 –
(Registration)
Secretariat
Day
8:30
AM
8:31 -
Opening Program
Secretariat
9:00
AM
9-10
Police, who is he?
Speaker
AM
10-
10:20
Break
10:20 –
11:45
Speaker
AM
How Do I love my wife/husband?
11:45 –
1:00
Lunch break
PM
1:00 –
The Roller Coaster in a Marriage:
2:40
Talk About it
Speaker
2:40 –
3:00
Break
3:00 –
Workshop on “How could I show
Speaker
5:00
respect for my marriage and
AM
family?”
2nd
8:00 –
Recap of yesterday’s activities
Secretariat
Day
8:30
8:30-
10:30
Presentation of results of the
AM
workshop
10:30 –
10:50
Break
AM
10:50
– 11:50
The difference of the man and the
Speaker
AM
woman
11:50-
1:00
Break
PM
1:00 -
2:30
Police Stewardship
Speaker
PM
94
2:30 –
Limitations of Police Authority
Speaker
3:45
PM
3:45-
4:00
Break
PM
4:20 :
5:00
Closing ceremony
Secretariat
PM
95
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
The researcher is a native of Ca-ew, Cuba, Kapangan, Benguet,
but was raised in La Trinidad. She finished her elementary and secondary
education at the then Mountain State Agricultural College. Due to
financial constraint, she stopped her studies after graduating from the
secondary. She had worked on different menial jobs including being a
domestic helper at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates for three years and
seven months. The work experiences she had essentially coached her to
be a fighter in any kind of challenge in life. Being able to accrue some
amount for her college education, she enrolled Bachelor of Science in
Agriculture at the Benguet State University and graduated on March 1995,
and graduated Cum-laude. In June of the same year, she was employed
at the Department of Agriculture and worked for two years. On September
16, 1997, she achieved her high school dream to join the servants and
protectors of the people - the Philippine National Police. She belongs to
the Public Safety Basic Recruit Course, Batch 1997, Delta Company. As
a Police Non-Commissioned Officer (PNCO), she was assigned with the
Regional Intelligence Division for nine years and a year with the Baguio
City Police Intelligence Section. Desiring to better serve the community
by becoming a Police Commissioned Officer (PCO), she enrolled Bachelor
96
of Science in Criminology at La Salette University, Santiago City, through
the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency Accreditation Program
(ETEEAP) and graduated on April 7, 2008. In May of the same year, she
took the Criminology Board examination and was blessed and passed the
exam. She applied to become a Police Commissioned Officer via Lateral
Entry and was successful. Finally, she took her oath on September 1,
2008, as a Police Inspector. On August 24, 2009, she was assigned with
the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB), Police Regional Office-
Cordillera, as the Police Community Relations Officer up to the present.
Being a police officer, she had been conferred with various awards and
commendations from the service and the civilian sector. On December
31, 2011, she was promoted to Police Senior Inspector.
* Coordination with other agencies for joint programs for the citizenry
THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE
PNP FUNCTIONS
* Combat Operations
1. Law Enforcement.
* Conduct of checkpoints
Mission:
2. Maintain peace and order.
* Concert for a cause
* Conduct of Sunday masses
To enforce the law, to prevent and control
3. Prevents and investigates crimes and
crimes, to maintain peace and order and en-
bring offenders to justice.
* Disaster and relief operations
sure public safety and internal security with
* Distribution of school supplies and books
the active support of the community.
4. Exercise the vested powers from the
* Distribution of second hand clothing
Philippine Constitution and pertinent
* Environmental protection
laws.
* Education and training for the PNP personnel
Vision:
* Feeding program
5. Detain an arrested person for a pe-
Imploring the aid of the Almighty, by 2030, we
* Gender and development program
shall be a highly capable, effective and credible
riod not beyond what is prescribed by
* Human rights advocacy
police service working in partnership with a
law.
* Information drives on various topics to the different sectors of the
society
responsive community towards the attainment
6. Implements pertinent laws and regu-
* Internal security operations
of a safer place to live, work, and do business.
lations on firearms and explosives con-
trol.
* Law Enforcement
* Maintenance and repair of government properties
* Marijuana eradication
Philosophy:
7. Supervise and control the training
* Medical and dental missions
Service, honor and justice
* Moral recovery program for PNP personnel
PNP UNDERTAKINGS
* Physical fitness and sports development
* Air, land and water security operations
Core Values:
* Police visibility
* Anti-terrorism efforts
* Pulis Ko, Titser Ko
Maka Diyos, Makabayan, Makatao
* Arrest of criminals
* Relief operations
* Barangay pulong-pulong/Visitation
and Makakalikasan.
* Render safe of unexploded ordnance
* Blood donation
* Scholarship programs
* Campaign against kidnap-for-ransom
* Search and rescue during disasters
* Campaign against bank robbery
* United Nations Peacekeeping
* Campaign against wanted persons
* Women and children protection
* Celebration of various festivities
* Others…..
* Civil disturbance management operations
Plans and Programs
"f) Must not have been dishonorably discharged from
• To rationalize the overall institutional framework for the
military employment or dismissed for cause from any
country's policing system by clearly delineating and defining
civilian position in the Government;
the coordination of police functions and structures;
"g) Must not have been convicted by final judgment of
• To enhance the focus and coordination of police functions
an offense or crime involving moral turpitude;
and operations through a national internal security policy and
"h) Must be at least one meter and sixty-two centime-
ters (1.62 m.) in height for male and one meter and fifty
strategy;
-seven centimeters (1.57 m.) for female;
• To reengineer the police system towards strengthening
"i) Must weigh not more or less than five kilograms (5
police oversight; remove institutionalized mechanisms that
kgs.) from the standard weight corresponding to his or
undermine unity of command and internal management au-
her height, age, and sex; and
thority in the PNP, which renders the organization vulnerable
"j) For a new applicant, must not be less than twenty-
to undue politicization and corruption;
one (21) nor more than thirty (30) years of age: except
for the last qualification, the above-enumerated qualifi-
• To fortify the institutional capabilities of the PNP by im-
cations shall be continuing in character and an ab-
proving administrative and operational coherence and effi-
sence of any one of them at any given time shall be a
ciency; and to strengthen the police stations with the end goal
ground for separation or retirement from the service:
of enhancing the quality of police services and relationships
Provided, That PNP members who are already in the
service upon the effectivity of this Act shall be given at
with the community.
least two (2) more years to obtain the minimum educa-
• To streamline institutional mechanisms and procedures
tional qualification and one (1) year to satisfy the
in order to promote speedy access to justice and legal pro-
weight requirement.
tection; ensure police neutrality and non-discrimination; and
foster respect for human rights and gender neutrality;
• To strengthen institutional mechanisms for the recruit-
Maximum Tenure in Position
QUALIFICATIONS UPGRADING
ment, training, and maintenance of a corps of competent, well-
Chief - 4 years
General Qualifications for Appointment. – No person shall be ap-
compensated, and motivated professional police force imbued
pointed as officer or member of the PNP unless he or she pos-
Deputy Chief - 4 years
with integrity, industry, and a high sense of duty and honor;
sesses the following minimum qualifications:
Director of the Staff Services - 4 years
and
"a) A citizen of the Philippines;
Regional Directors - 6 years
• To clarify and instill a culture of public accountability in
"b) A person of good moral conduct;
Provincial/City Directors - 9 years
the PNP and among its personnel.
"c) Must have passed the psychiatric/psychological,
drug and physical tests to be administered by the PNP
or by any NAPOLCOM accredited government hospital
for the purpose of determining physical and mental
health;
"d) Must possess a formal baccalaureate degree from a
recognized institution of learning;
"e) Must be eligible in accordance with the standards
set by the Commission;
THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE
Mission:
To enforce the law, to prevent and control
crimes, to maintain peace and order and ensure
public safety and internal security with the active
support of the community.
Vision:
Imploring the aid of the Almighty, by 2030, we
shall be a highly capable, effective and credible
g y
p
,
police service working in partnership with a
responsive community towards the attainment
of a safer place to live, work, and do business.
Philosophy:
Service, honor and justice
Core Values:
Maka Diyos, Makabayan, Makatao
and Makakalikasan.
Police are caring
Assistance to the community
Barangay Visitation
on farm works
First aid to visitors
Concert for a Cause
J a n u a r y 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Police supports education
Distribu
School Visitation
tion
of scho
ol su
pplie
s
closer to G
v
a
Educating chi
Condu
r
i
ous topics t
ct o
o
d thr
f
lec
o
o
t
o
o
t
st
ur
ug
ldren to be
u
es on
h pr
d
e
nt
a
y
s
er
F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
Coordination with the stakeholders in the community
With the Alumni of St. Louis
With the faculties of
School of Campo Filipino,
Kapangan National High
batch 1982
With R
D
, N
A
P
P
OLCO
M-
C
AR
M a r c h 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Coordination with the stakeholders in the community
With Civil Service Commission - CAR
With the San Jose High School, La Trinidad,
Benguet
With the Department of Education – CAR
With the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources
A p r i l 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Police are humane
At Dalipey, Bakun, Benguet
At Sta. Juliana, Crow
Valley, Tarlac
At Laoangan, kapangan, Benguet
Blood donation
M a y 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Police are service oriented
Police visibility
Checkpoints
Render safe of
Marijuana eradication
Unexploded Ordnance
J u n e 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Police are environmental-friendly
Tree planting
activities
Establishment of nurseries
Implementation of PD 705
J u l y 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Police support sports development and physical fitness
A u g u s t 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
The Police care for the youth who are the hope of the fatherland
S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23/30
24
25
26
27
28
29
Police are always ready to serve and protect
O c t o b e r 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Police are God-loving people
RPSB Church Choir
Policemen attending church
services
Policemen detailed at Mt. Polis
painting the Mama Mary Statue
N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Police are health conscious
Policemen disseminating health concerns through
the posting of health posters in various areas
Police supports medical and dental missions
Policemen practicing Cardio‐Pulmonary
Resuscitation (CPR) during a training
D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 2
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23/30
24/31
25
26
27
28
29
Document Outline
- POLICE PROFESSIONALISM AND MORALITY: A PHILIPPINENATIONAL POLICE REVITALIZATION GUIDE
- ABSTRACT
- INTRODUCTION
- METHODOLOGY
- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
- SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- LITERATURE CITED
- Appendix