Underheight? You can still become a cop...

MANILA, Philippines - The National Polic Commission (Napolcom) on Tuesday issued a set of guidelines on the granting of waivers for applicants to the Philippine National Police who do not meet the agency's weight, height and age requirements.

Napolcom Vice Chairman Eduardo Escueta said Memorandum Circular No. 2013-004 was issued after it has been observed in previous recruitments that the recruitment quotas for the different PNP offices and units are not always filled up due to lack of qualified applicants.

Escueta explained that under the existing Napolcom policy, applicants who do not meet the PNP's required age, height or weight can apply for waivers only when the number of qualified applicants falls below the office or unit quota which is determined at the end of the recruitment process.

“In order to have a wider base of applicants whose special qualifications or skills are useful to or needed by the PNP, applicants who possess exemplary aptitude but do not meet the required age, height or weight should be given an opportunity to apply for waiver prior to the official start of or during the recruitment program,” Escueta said.

Escueta said a waiver of the age requirement may be granted provided that the applicant shall not be younger than 20 or older than 35 years of age.

A waiver of the height requirement may be granted to a male applicant who is at least 1.57 meters and to a female applicant who is at least 1.52 meters.

According to Escueta, the minimum height requirement for applicants who belong to indigenous groups, duly certified by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) or the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), are 1.52 meters for male applicants and 1.45 meters for female applicants.

Meanwhile, an applicant who is granted a weight waiver shall be given reasonable time but not exceeding six months within which to comply with the PNP's weight requirement.

“Only applicants who possess the appropriate eligibility and meet the general qualifications as provided for under Section 14 of Republic Act No. 8551 are qualified to apply for waivers," Escueta said.

Escueta said applicants for waivers must possess exemplary aptitude to be capable police officers, such as special skills in evidence gathering and safekeeping, cyber crime investigation, detection and prevention, crime scene investigation, martial arts, marksmanship and similar skills; special talents in the field of sports, music or arts and culture; extensive experience or training in forensic science and other legal, medical and technical services; and outstanding academic records and extracurricular activities of applicant during his or her school days, good family background in law enforcement or socio-civic activities, recognized social standing in the community, and awards and commendations received.

All applications for waivers, except for height for members of indigenous groups, shall be evaluated by the PNP Screening Committee and endorsed by the PNP Chief to the NAPOLCOM en banc, through the Office of the Vice-Chairman and Executive Officer, for proper disposition.

The Napolcom Regional Director may grant height waiver for members of indigenous groups with NCMF and NCIP certification under their area of jurisdiction.

Escueta meanwhile reminds PNP applicants that the grant of waivers is not an assurance of appointment into the police service.

“Applicants with waiver will only be considered when the number of qualified applicants falls below the minimum office ot unit quota," he said.