PRO6 notes steady decline of admin cases vs policemen

ILOILO CITY, Philippines  — Administrative cases against policemen have been steadily decreasing over the last five years, said Police Regional Office-6 director, Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, Jr., noting that from 159 cases filed in 2008, the number dropped to 93 last year and further down to 86 only this year.

Cruz attributed the decrease to the PNP’s commitment to clear its rank with wanton and misfit policemen. “Hangad natin ang mapabuti ang ating serbisyo kaya nararapat lang na magsimula ang pagbabago sa ating kapulisan,” he said.

The drop in cases could also mean that the PNP’s Integrated Transformation Program – Performance Governance System has been effective in improving the public trust and confidence to the men in uniform.

PRO-6 records showed that of the 570 administrative cases filed in the past five years, 200 involved neophyte policemen or those with rank of police officer 1 (PO1).

Cruz, however, noted the positive development in the trend of statistics on cases involving novice police operatives. “Pababa ng pababa tin po ang bilang ng mga PO1 natin na nahaharap sa kaso. Patunay lamang ito na naging maingat na rin sila sa kanilang trabaho,” he said.

Cases involving PO1s dropped from 34 in 2011 to 26 this year, but Cruz theorized that new recruits’ lack of experience might have overwhelmed them of their responsibility and power.

Further, PRO6 records revealed that most cases lodged against policemen are grave misconduct and serious neglect of duty. Other administrative charges include less grave misconduct, slight misconduct, less grace neglect of duty, simple neglect of duty, conduct unbecoming of a police officer, dishonesty, irregularity in the performance of duty, oppression, and incompetency.

Cruz, while enjoining the public to work continuously with the police to rid the organization of scalawags, assured the police that they would always be given due process through the conduct of summary gearing to determine their guilt or innocence. (FREEMAN)