Legal basis and cited references
- The Circular anchors its rationale on Republic Act No. 8491 (Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms and Other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines), particularly Chapter VI, Section 44 on the adoption and filing of heraldic devices, including badges.
- It cites UESB Resolution No. 2000-01 for the amending of uniform classifications contained in PNP Circular No. 99-005 dated March 29, 1999.
- It cites PNP Circular 2000-01 for the classification of General Office Attire (GOA) Uniform.
- It cites PNP LOI 2005 (Tamang Bihisa) and PNP LOI 06/09 (Tamang Bihis Alpha).
Purpose and policy intent
- The Circular prescribes a policy governing use and wearing of training badges by qualified and authorized PNP personnel.
- It requires systematic authority for authorized badge-wearing, because unsystematic issuance makes it difficult to identify who is authorized.
- It directs that training badges must correspond to authorized programs so badges do not become mere uniform adornments unrelated to actual skills.
- It links badge adoption and usage to compliance with heraldic filing and evaluation rules under Republic Act No. 8491, Chapter VI, Section 44.
Definitions that control badge eligibility
- “Academic Profession” refers to a line of work/profession obtained by a PNP member outside of the PNP after completion of a baccalaureate degree or higher education and passing the required examination, if any, prior to conferment of title (including lawyer, doctor, engineer, nurse, priest, among others).
- “Academic Profession Badge” is a badge worn by PNP members to symbolize their academic profession.
- “Authority to Wear” is a PNP-issued document/order that officially authorizes personnel to wear PNP Training Badges in accordance with prescribed policies.
- “Competency Course/Training” refers to training programs offered to PNP personnel with 80 training hours or more to improve and upgrade skills, capabilities, and knowledge for police functions; it covers both police operations and administrative police aspect trainings, including specified examples.
- “Competency Training Badge” is a badge worn by a member of the PNP to symbolize completion of a competency course/training of 80 training hours or more.
- “Mandatory Career Course/Training” consists of courses required to be completed by a PCO or PNCO as part of promotion requirements to the next higher rank.
- “Mandatory Training Badge” is the badge earned after undergoing a Mandatory Career Course offered by the PPSC to uniformed personnel of the PNP.
- “Training Badge” is a special or distinctive mark, token, or emblem worn as a sign of authority, achievement, and successful completion of a particular course/training.
Classification and authorized issuing courses
- Training badges that may be issued to PNP personnel are classified as: Mandatory Training Badge, Competency Training Badge, and Academic Profession Badge.
- Courses authorized for the Mandatory Training Badge (PPSC) include PSOSEC, PSOAC, PSOBC, PSOCC, PSSLC, PSJLC, or any other courses developed by the PPSC in the future.
- Courses authorized for the Competency Training Badge include PNP SCOUT, SWAT, Scout Ranger Course, ISO Unit Enhancement Training for Maneuver Units, Police First Responders Course, Criminal Investigation Course, Comptrollership Course, Finance Officers Course, PCR Course, Logistics Management Course, Instructors Development Course, IOBC, PIOC, PlC, or any other courses developed by the PNP in the future.
- Courses authorized for the Academic Profession Badge include lawyer, priest, engineer, nurse, doctor, criminologist, or any other academic profession subject to UESB approval.
Eligibility rules and wearing authorization
- As a general policy, only PNP personnel who successfully completed a particular training program are authorized to wear/use the UESB approved training badge.
- Training programs with a minimum of 80 training hours or more may qualify for conferment of a competency training badge.
- After completion, the PNP training unit/office that conducted the training shall issue “Authority to Wear” to graduates of the class using the appropriate training badge.
- The Authority to Wear shall be part of the Declaration of Graduates for the particular class.
- A copy of the Declaration of Graduates shall be submitted to the DHRDD for record purposes.
- Competency/specialized training sponsored by agencies or institutions outside of the PNP (foreign and local) may be recognized only when the program is covered by an official order from the sponsoring agency/institution and a copy of the order is submitted to the DHRDD for reference.
- PNP personnel who completed the mandatory career course/training and specialized courses offered by the PPSC may wear the mandatory training badge issued by the PPSC, and copies of the orders shall be submitted to the DHRDD.
- PNP personnel may wear an academic profession badge after completing the required baccalaureate degree or higher education and passing the required examination, if any, prior to conferment of title.
- The DRD evaluates the design, symbolism, and specification of the academic profession badge and competency training badge for presentation and approval of the Uniform and Equipment Standardization Board (UESB).
- A request for approval of a proposed training badge shall be submitted by the sponsoring PNP unit to the DRD.
- Proper wearing and placement of all badges shall be governed by the policies issued by the DRD.
- Approved PNP training badges by the UESB shall be registered to the National Historical Institute (NHI) or the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL), whichever is applicable, through the DRD.
Rescission and effectivity
- Existing policies/directives inconsistent with the Memorandum Circular are rescinded and/or amended accordingly under RESCISSION.
- The Memorandum Circular takes effect upon approval under EFFECTIVITY.