(Photo courtesy of the Office of the Chief PNP)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday, October 26, pledged to tighten its recruitment standards to prevent applicants with questionable backgrounds and disciplinary records from entering the police force.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. emphasized that screening applicants early in the recruitment process is essential to protecting the organization’s integrity and maintaining public trust.
“As a law enforcement agency, the Philippine National Police will protect itself from applicants with highly questionable background and character. There is no room for future policemen who cannot even observe and respect the simplest rules and regulations,” Nartatez said.
His statement followed a warning from National Police Commission (Napolcom) Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan against criminology interns caught violating traffic regulations.
Calinisan earlier said students involved in such violations could face rejection of their applications to the police service and be barred from taking Napolcom entrance examinations.
The warning came after reports of criminology interns riding motorcycles without helmets and using unauthorized license plates.
“We will not process their application as policemen or entertain them in the Napolcom Exams. Sweeping reforms needed here,” Calinisan said in a social media post.
Nartatez said the PNP already has screening procedures but stressed that public reports and other relevant information could help strengthen background checks on prospective recruits.
He maintained that discipline and respect for the law should be demonstrated even before applicants enter police service.
“Discipline and respect for the law must begin even before an aspiring police officer enters the service. We cannot allow those who disregard the law to wear the uniform and enforce it against others,” Nartatez said.
The PNP chief also urged colleges and universities offering criminology programs to ensure that students develop not only the physical and mental qualifications required for police work but also strong moral character.
Calinisan likewise called on educational institutions to strengthen disciplinary measures and improve their criminology curricula.
“Salain ang dapat salain. Ayusin ang curriculum. Wag diploma mill. Nation building is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.
The PNP reiterated that stricter recruitment screening is intended to ensure that future police officers demonstrate integrity, accountability, and respect for the laws they will be tasked to enforce.
