Napolcom opens door to civilians aspiring to join the PNP

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) is now accepting applications for the police entrance and promotional examinations on Oct. 23, 2005.

Napolcom chairman Angelo Reyes said there are two sets of tests offered — one for civilians aspiring to join the Philippine National Police (PNP) and another for those who are already in the police service.

"The exams will be held simultaneously in designated schools in Metro Manila and 15 other testings all over the country," he said.

Napolcom vice-chair and executive officer Imelda Roces said the PNP entrance test is open to college graduates, 20 to 30 years old, at least 1.62 meters tall for men and 1.57 meters for women.

The test also needs to be passed by policemen with temporary status as Police Officer 1 (PO1) as a requirement for a permanent appointment in the police service.

"Members of cultural communities are automatically exempted from the height requirement. All they have to do is submit to the Napolcom a certification from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) or the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) attesting their membership in the indigenous group in their respective areas," Roces said.

The promotional exam, on the other hand, is for all qualified uniformed members of the PNP. Those who will pass the test shall be considered eligible for promotion to the next PNP rank corresponding to the examination’s Eligibility Rank Coverage (ERC).

Napolcom Personnel and Administrative Service chief Bernardo Calibo said the promotional exams cover the ranks of PO2, PO3, SPO1 to SPO4, Inspector, Senior Inspector and Chief Inspector, and Police Superintendent.

Deadline of filing of applications is on Aug. 31, 2005. "Application forms can be downloaded at the Napolcom website at www.napolcom.gov.ph," Roces said.

More information about the exams can be obtain by sending a text message to Napolcom. Type Napolcom <space>examreq<space>promotion<space> "exam title" <space> "Present Rank" (for promotional exams), and send to 2333 for Globe and Touch Mobile, 356 for Smart and Talk ‘n Text, and 2269 for Sun Cellular subscribers. — Michael Punongbayan