PNP policy promoting excellence in training

Section 26, Republic Act No. 6975 establishes the PNP Chief’s powers, functions, and term of office as a basis for the PNP circular policy issuance.
Section 33 (a), Republic Act No. 8551 makes completion of the appropriate and accredited course in the PNPA or equivalent training institutions a promotion eligibility requirement for uniformed PNP members.
NAPOLCOM Memorandum Circular No. 92-016 (November 26, 1992) provides specific policies/rules on promotion of PNP uniformed personnel.
NAPOLCOM Memorandum Circular No. 92-007 (September 18, 1992) covers PNP officer career management and development program requirements.
PNP Memorandum Circular No. 99-012 (February 18, 1999) provides guidelines and procedures for mandatory career courses/training and related matters.

RA 8551 requires that a uniformed member of the PNP must satisfactorily complete the appropriate and accredited course in the PNPA or equivalent training institutions to be eligible for promotion.
The circular addresses a promoted mindset where uniformed personnel complied with course requirements only “for compliance,” without extra effort toward academic excellence.
The circular identifies that this attitude can develop into a “culture of mediocrity” within the PNP organization.
The circular’s purpose is to correct the compliance-only attitude and develop a culture of excellence among all uniformed PNP personnel.

Academic proficiency means having a high degree of skill relating to education, educational studies, an educational institution, or an educational system.
Professionalism means the skill, competence, or character expected of a member of a highly trained profession.
Attitude means an opinion or general feeling about something.
Culture means the beliefs, customs, practices, and social behavior of a particular group of people.
Mediocrity means adequacy or acceptability without being very good, and the state of lacking the desired competences.
Excellence means the quality or state of being outstanding and superior.
Deferment means putting off, postponement, or cancellation of one who was earlier included or given a training slot in a particular course without any justifiable reason.
Returned to unit means a person terminated from training or schooling whether due to fault or not.
Quitter means a person who gives up easily with no justifiable reason.

A Training Lineal List (TLL) containing the priority list of all uniformed personnel due to take mandatory career courses must be formulated, maintained, and updated by DHRDD through the Training and Education Information System (TEIS).
Personnel in the upper bracket of the TLL must receive priority and be considered for mandatory/career schooling/training.
The upper 50% of each class graduating from a career course must be automatically qualified to take the next higher career course required.
Personnel in the lower 50% of the same class must still be included in the TLL and allowed to take the next higher career course only if they pass and comply with additional requirements.
Candidates who fail the required tests must lose priority in the TLL, meaning their names are listed at the bottom of the TLL.
Those who quit, return to unit, or request deferment without justifiable reasons must automatically lose priority in the TLL.
Mandatory/career courses or their equivalents must be opened/scheduled with the approval of DHRDD, in coordination with PPSC or PNPTS, as applicable.

Lower 50% candidates must take a written test to be formulated and administered by DHRDD.
Lower 50% candidates must undergo a physical fitness test conducted by DHRDD.
Lower 50% candidates must comply with other similar tests/requirements as the C, PNP may deem necessary.
Passing these requirements determines whether the lower 50% retains priority for the next higher career course through continued placement in the TLL.

Justifiable reasons for quitting, returning-to-unit, or deferring from schooling are limited to:
- Sickness or physical incapacity, certified by the Director, HS or the Regional Health Officer.
- Filing of a criminal or administrative case against a candidate for schooling before or on the duration of the course, when taking the same would affect proper adjudication.
- Death of a member of immediate family (parents, spouse or children) when the candidate’s presence is necessary and affects training/schooling.
- During disasters or calamities where the candidate or the immediate family are victims and regular class attendance is prevented.
Deferment requests under these circumstances must be favorably indorsed in writing by the Director/Chief of Office/Unit concerned, certifying the validity of the reasons.
Deferment requests must be submitted to DHRDD for approval.

Mandatory/career courses (or equivalents) must be opened/scheduled with DHRDD approval, coordinated with PPSC or PNPTS, as applicable.
No personnel may apply for a mandatory/career course or its equivalent directly to PPSC or PNPTS.
Applications must be submitted directly to DHRDD or through the RPHRDDofthe Regional Offices, or the equivalent offices of the NSUs.
Candidates for schooling must submit a folder of documents duly authenticated by the issuing unit/agency for evaluation.
The required folder tabs and contents are:
- Tab “A”: Result of PPSC Qualifying Examination/Result of DHRDD Qualifying Examination and PFT if the candidate belongs to the lower 50% in previous mandatory career schooling, or its equivalent.
- Tab “B”: PNP PDS.
- Tab “C”: Medical Certificate.
- Tab “D”: Neuro/Psychological Exam.
- Tab “E”: Affidavit of Non-Pending/Criminal/Administrative Case.
- Tab “F”: CSC/NAPOLCOM Eligibility.
- Tab “G”: College Diploma.
- Tab “H”: Diploma and Order or Merit of Mandatory Career Course previously taken.
DHRDD, in coordination with DPRM and PPSC, must facilitate and ensure the issuance of schooling orders for qualified personnel before the courses are formally opened.

The PNP must ensure that only the best and brightest police officers/personnel are assigned to PPSC or PNPTS, as applicable.
TDHRDD, in coordination with TDPRM, TDPL, Director LS, Director, PNPTS, and the President, PPSC, must formulate detailed implementing rules and procedures immediately to complement the circular.

The circular rescinds and/or modifies all other PNP issuances inconsistent with its provisions.
The circular’s effect is governed by the fifteen (15) days publication/filing rule tied to filing with the University of the Philippines Law Center under Executive Order No. 292.