90% of police officers fail firearms proficiency test

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) expressed alarm over reports that almost 90 percent of police officers nationwide failed the firearms proficiency test.

Napolcom commissioner Luis Mario General said that only 10 percent of the 125,000 policemen passed the proficiency test on firearms, adding the majority of the 10-percent have marksmanship status.

The levels of gun proficiency are novice (beginner), marksman, sharpshooter and expert.

“It is very alarming,” said General, who asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership to address the concern.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa and General hosted the 1st Commissioners’ Cup: Game of the Generals shooting competition at the PNP Shooting Range in Camp Crame.

PNP officials said firearm proficiency of all policemen was among the issues being addressed by Verzosa through the Integrated Transformation Program (ITP).

General attributed the poor proficiency of policemen in handling firearms to the limited budget of the PNP.

During his visit in the Visayas, General said he learned that only two out of the 34 police chiefs have PNP issued firearms. The 32 others have purchased their own firearms.

“The PNP should take the issue very seriously. There should be regular, at least quarterly, conduct of training for all policemen,” General said.

He said training on gun firing accuracy could provide better protection for the officer and the citizens.

The Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development (DHRDD) organized the shooting event sanctioned by the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA), the governing body of the sport that simulates self-defense scenarios and real-life encounters.

The IDPA standard has been adopted by the PNP in its firearms proficiency program for police personnel.

All star-rank officials and other senior officers occupying star-rank positions will participate in the three-day shooting event.

IDPA shooting sport uses practical equipment including full-charge service ammunition to run simulated “real world” self-defense scenarios.

The event features practical and realistic courses that simulate potentially life-threatening encounters to test stability in cases where a police officer’s life is in danger while in the performance of his duties.

Verzosa said the competition is not only aimed to further develop individual firearms proficiency skills but also to foster camaraderie and fellowship among PNP senior officers.

“As leaders, senior police officers are expected to show the example to their subordinates in terms of proficiency in basic police skills,” Verzosa said in a statement.

The contest divisions include Custom Defensive Pistol (.45ACP semi-automatics only); Enhanced Service Pistol (9mm or larger caliber semi-automatics); and Stock Service Pistol (9mm or larger caliber double action, double action only, or safe action semi-automatics).

Chief Superintendent Ireneo Bacolod, director of the Civil Service Group, said the PNP will host a gun summit on May 18 and 19 to consolidate new and old laws on firearms.

Bacolod said they hope to formulate a Comprehensive Firearms Law of the Philippines to be able to control the proliferation of loose firearms.