Firemen, jail guards can now be cops under new rules

Firemen and jail guards are now eligible to become policemen under the new rules recently approved by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) but on the condition that they pass all the requirements first.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said jail guards and firemen who wish to be transferred to the Philippine National Police (PNP) would have to undergo a rigorous screening process to determine their fitness and skills to become a competent cop.

Puno recently signed a resolution approving PNP rules that cover the transfer of personnel from the BJMP or BFP to the national police service. A BJMP or a BFP member needs to pass seven tests and interviews.

"The set of guidelines and procedures require applicants seeking reassignment to the PNP to undergo an initial screening; a neuro-psychiatric examination, a physical/medical examination, a drug test and a physical fitness test; an intensive background investigation and a final interview by a nine-man screening board before he can be accepted as a uniformed personnel of the national police force," Puno said.

The circular also stressed that "only personnel who are not former PNP members shall be allowed to transfer;" and "as a general rule, all personnel seeking transfer to the PNP shall first secure permission from the Interior Secretary."

It also stated that a transferee from the BJMP or BFP to the PNP should comply with the minimum statutory qualifications, including the entry rank of Police Officer I, Inspector or Senior Inspector.

"However, under special circumstances when a member of the PNP is assigned to a position requiring a higher rank, the PNP member shall be promoted or appointed to the said rank," the circular said.

A nine-man screening board chaired by the Executive Officer of the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Record Management will be created to evaluate the merit and fitness of the applicants based on existing qualification standards for each rank.

After the applicant finished the tests and interviews, the screening board will then submit a board resolution to the PNP chief with the names of successful applicants for approval.