Napolcom to issue ‘Police Banns’

If the Church is using “Marriage Banns” to ensure a marriage between two individuals will not affect anybody in their community, the National Police Commission also wants such banns for police recruits to make sure none of questionable character gets in their ranks.

Napolcom-7 regional director Bernardo Calibo said they plan to implement the “Police Banns” so the names of police applicants can be published and the public can bring to them any concern they have against any applicant.

Aside from the newspapers, radio and television announcements, posters and other printed materials will be posted in different municipal halls, church bulletins, market places and other public places.

The public information office of the Napolcom said the banns will in effect read: “Those who know of any impediment in these applicants’ move to enter police service, say it now. Would you like these applicants to be your policemen, to be the persons responsible for you town’s peace and order?”

Napolcom said in small towns where “everybody knows everybody” it will be easier to determine who are not qualified to be law enforcers. 

However, it is not yet clear how Napolcom will do this in large cities.

President Gloria Arroyo announced during the PNP’s anniversary this year that she wanted to add 15,000 new police officers until 2010.

The PNP regularly recruits twice a year, including a recruitment for attrition which is not considered a regular recruitment.   — Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP