Question & AnswerQ&A (NAPOLCOM MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2002-011)
Local chief executives have powers including operational supervision and control of PNP units in their jurisdiction (except during specific election periods), authority to impose disciplinary penalties for minor offenses, authority to choose the chief of police from recommended eligibles, authority to recommend appointment of new PNP members, authority to recommend transfer or reassignment of PNP members, and authority to conduct inspection and audit of police stations.
Operational supervision and control means the power to direct, superintend, and oversee the day-to-day functions of police investigation of crime, crime prevention activities, and traffic control in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission.
No. During the thirty (30) days immediately preceding and thirty (30) days following any national, local, or barangay elections, local police forces shall be under the supervision and control of the Commission on Elections, not the local chief executives.
City and municipal mayors may impose disciplinary penalties, after due notice and summary hearings, for minor offenses committed by PNP members assigned to their jurisdiction. More serious offenses must be referred to the Police Regional Office or other appropriate authorities.
Local chief executives select the chief of police from a list of five eligibles recommended by the provincial police director. These eligibles are preferably from the same province, city, or municipality. No officer-in-charge may serve for more than 30 days. The local peace and order council may also recommend recall or reassignment of the chief of police based on effectiveness guidelines by Napolcom.
For city police chiefs: graduate of Bachelor of Laws or completed required courses for a master's degree in related disciplines, or members of the Bar with 5 years law practice, licensed criminologists, or Philippine National Police Academy graduates, and must have passed required training. For municipal police chiefs: at least second-year law student or 12 units in related master's degree courses and similar professional qualifications.
Applicants submit their papers to the Mayor's office, the local peace and order council evaluates qualifications within 5 working days, endorses qualified applicants to the Mayor within 2 working days, the Mayor recommends names to the PNP screening committee within 3 working days. The PNP committees conduct background checks and evaluations within 10 working days each, followed by appointment approval and attestation by CSC, with the Mayor informed of appointments within 5 working days.
Local chief executives must develop and establish an integrated area/community public safety plan in coordination with the local peace and order council, rank major crime problems, identify resources and constraints, determine strategies and programs to address the issues, monitor implementation monthly, and submit reports to the National Police Commission and other authorities.
Reassignment recommendations must be based on ineffectiveness, protecting the image of the locality, protecting the police officer's safety, or preventing harassment of the community. The recommendation must be in a resolution by the city or municipal council to avoid abuse of authority. The mayor must be consulted before relief or reassignment unless urgent for the service or police station integrity, and must be informed within 48 hours if such actions happen.
Inspections include review of organizational structure, personnel details, disciplinary cases, promotions, separations, programs/projects, systems and procedures, budget and logistical support, and performance through public surveys and crime analysis. Inspections can be regular (periodic) or special (spot checks) and aim to promote effectiveness and economy in police operations.