THE NATIONAL Police Commission (Napolcom) should have a stringent vetting process at each stage of the promotion process for every police officer vying for any command post from local chief of police and upward the career ladder.
In the current practice, police
appointments are not subject to the confirmation of the Commission on
Appointments; this is made worse by the lack of an exacting vetting process.
While there are examinations given by Napolcom and the Civil Service
Commission, the DILG Act of 1990 (Republic Act 6975) does not expressly provide
for a vetting process. No wonder we have “ninja cops” or scalawags in uniform.
It has also been the practice that officers seeking command post promotions ask
for and get endorsements from various officials, but still, there is no strict
vetting.
Passing the exam is not enough, nor should a police officer’s closeness to or endorsement from the mayor, governor, congressman, etc. matter in his promotion. What should be followed is rigorous vetting prior to a promotion or getting an assignment or post.
In RA 6975 Napolcom is given broad powers of administrative supervision and performance evaluation and there is also the People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB), but there is no vetting process to investigate and weed out PNP officers with links to organized crime, rogue cops, unethical practices, and conflicts of interest.
Why not empower Napolcom and PLEBs to vet officers for promotion prior to the recommendation phase to the President?
The Civil Service Commission, Ombudsman, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Anti-Money Laundering Council, and Professional Regulatory Commission should also work with Napolcom on conducting thorough lifestyle checks on police generals, as well as colonels, majors, captains, including police chiefs of cities, towns, and provinces.
We must not only have the most capable or brave policemen; they must also possess integrity.
