PNP reviews own data on juvenile justice for better police approach in dealing with CICls
Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered a thorough review into the cases of minors involved in violations of the law, including serious school-related offenses.
The intention, according to Nartatez, is to come up with the best measures and police approach to further improve the juvenile justice system in the country amid cases of involvement of children in violations of the law that include violent bullying, bomb hoaxes and other criminal activities.
“The Philippine National Police honors and supports the wisdom behind the juvenile justice and welfare law and its genuine intent of reforms and rehabilitation to become better citizens that contribute to nation building,” said Nartatez.
“As one of the frontliners in dealing with children in conflict with the law, we in the PNP need to review and analyze everything to come up with a better police approach that is responsive to their life’s changes as youth, and that also adapts to the constantly evolving modern society,” he added.
For Nartatez, the PNP is in the better position for a comprehensive review and study since it has ample records of minors involved in violations of the law.
What he wants to find out, according to Nartatez, are the things that are working and those that need improvement in dealing with the approach and rehabilitation aspect of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Law based on the review and analysis of data.
He emphasized that it is only through deep understanding of the existing juvenile justice system that the purpose and intent of the law are achieved, and eventually lead to crafting of measures that will also focus on effective and efficient preventive measures.
The PNP has been in constant coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) in coming up with policies and replication of best practices to ensure the safety and well-being of learners in all schools across the country.
The recent active collaboration was the crafting of the protocol for students and school authorities through the conduct of active threat drills that will be implemented in all schools nationwide.
The PNP also expressed support to DepEds’ guidance counselling measures on children in conflict with the law (CICL) through active participation and interventions from the police’s Women and Children Protection Desk.
It is in this aspect of active participation through interactions and counselling that PGEN Nartatez wants the PNP to also focus on in terms of coming up with the best police measures based on understanding from the experience and personal stories of struggles that the CICLs would share.
Such interactions and counselling, he said, could also lead to a better approach in dealing with school bullying and even students who engage in school bomb hoaxes.
“The Philippine National Police is not only about law enforcement and anti-crime operations. Your PNP also wants to do its share in a comprehensive and holistic approach to make every community a safe and better place to live in,” he stressed.