THE Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday it will enforce stricter recruitment standards for aspiring police officers.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. emphasized the need to weed out applicants with questionable character early in the recruitment process to prevent them from compromising the integrity and professionalism of the force.
“There is no room for future policemen who cannot even observe and respect the simplest rules and regulations,” Nartatez said in a statement.
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) earlier warned erring criminology interns that their applications for police service would not be processed and they would not be allowed to take entrance examinations.
Napolcom issued the warning following reports of criminology interns brazenly violating traffic rules, including riding motorcycles without helmets and using unauthorized license plates.
While the PNP already has a strong mechanism to choose the best applicants, Nartatez said inputs from netizens and other information regarding an aspiring officer is important in verifying their background.
“Discipline and respect for the law must begin even before an aspiring police officer enters the service. We cannot allow those who disregard the law to wear the uniform and enforce it against others,” he said.
He urged colleges and universities offering Criminology courses to ensure that their students are not only physically and mentally ready but are also morally fit to become police officers.
