The Philippine National Police (PNP) has embarked on a series of training programs aimed at improving the investigation and shooting capabilities of its more than 200,000 uniformed personnel.
PNP chief Gen. Camilo Pancratius Cascolan said the move is part of the program to further professionalize the police organization by improving the capabilities of every policeman especially on the aspect of solving crime.
“My own intention as Chief PNP is to develop among all 220,000 police personnel the basic skills set of marksmanship and crime investigation.,” said Cascolan.
Several years ago, the National Police Commission disclosed that the majority of policemen have no proper training on crime investigation and cannot even shoot well.
The marksmanship problem was brought by the lack of funds to buy bullets intended for the target-shooting and the lack of facilities to hold the marksmanship training.
The investigation and shooting capabilities, however, improved as the past PNP leaderships initiated programs and projects aimed at improving the capabilities of its personnel.
Cascolan said the Napolcom has already paved the way to further improve the case investigation, management and shooting capabilities of policemen by approving a Revised Certification Program for Police Investigators, Police Detectives and Case Managers to improve the PNP’s Crime Clearance Efficiency and Crime Solution Efficiency and enhance the proficiency of its field investigators.
Under the NAPOLCOM Memo Circular, all certified Police Investigators, Police Detectives and Case Managers shall be authorized to wear their respective specialization badges and shall be entitled to receive a Specialist Pay pursuant to NAPOLCOM Resolution No. 2018-340 prior to the approval of its addendum pertaining to Investigators’ Duty Pay.