Qualifications and Preparedness of Police Officers in Sustaining Peace and Order: It's Implicationto Quality Service

The Philippine National Police as one of the bureaus of the Department of Interior and Local Government as mandated under Republic Act 6975 has given the functions to enforce all laws and ordinance relative to the protection of lives and properties, maintain peace and order and take all necessary steps to ensure public safety; investigate and prevent crimes, effect the arrest of criminal offenders, bring offenders to justice and assist in their prosecution; perform such other duties and exercise all other functions as may be provided by law. This undertaking involved all the sixty (60) police officers who are assigned in the Tuguegarao City Police Station (TCPS), fifteen (15) residents in each of the forty nine (49) barangays which consists of at least three (3) barangay police/tanods, all barangay chairmen, and at least 11 residents in each barangay. A total of one hundred percent of the police officers which composes set A of respondents and seven hundred thirty five (735) residents which compose set B of respondents that were randomly selected. A grand total of seven hundred ninety five (795) respondents were included in this study for calendar year 2014. The researcher developed sets of survey questionnaire to gather the data from the respondents. The questionnaire is categorized into four (4) parts. Part I consisted of the qualifications/preparedness of police officers. This includes respondent's general qualifications set forth under the law, eligibility, examinations/tests, training, schoolings, seminars. Part II consists of the different programs in order to sustain peace and order in the community. Part III consists of the problems encountered in the implementation of the different programs/activities, and Part IV consists of the interventions to improve the quality of police service. Interviews were also conducted to the respondents especially when their responses on the questionnaire are not clear. This study made used of the descriptive correlational design, the Five-Point Likert scale was used. The frequency count and rank was utilized. To test the difference on the effectiveness of the programs/activities being implemented, the chi-square or t-test was used. The result of this study disclosed that the officers of the Tuguegarao City Police Station are assigned in the said station and in the seven police sub-stations catering to the needs of the forty nine (49) barangays of the aforementioned locality are very qualified and prepared to sustain peace and order. They are also effective in implementing programs/activities as unanimously perceived by themselves and by the barangay residents. However, the two most-perceived problems namely “Malpractices of the PNP officers due to the countervailing influences and political intervention, padrino system” seem to be the gravest impediments for effective implementation of the program/activities but implementation of the mission/vision and functions of the PNP and integration of professional ethics, values on law enforcement, circulars and training schools” are highly recommended for an effective implementation of the programs which would sustain peace and order.