PNP structure imbalance resolved

There is an imbalance in the number of top-ranking officers, junior officials, and rookie policemen in the Philippine National Police (PNP), a vital factor in effective police work.

To solve this problem, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) has authorized the promotion of 21,973 policemen. The move seeks to fill up promotional vacancies for the ranks of Senior Police Officer 2 (SPO2) to police senior superintendent which is equivalent to full-pledged colonel in the military.

Napolcom Chairman Angelo Reyes said the Commission en banc recently approved Resolution 2005-432 in response to a request made by PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao.

Lomibao was given the power to approve regular promotion of qualified police commissioned officers (PCOs) and police non-commissioned officers (PNCOs).

"These promotions would reduce the number of vacancies for the specific ranks mentioned to conform with the PNP pyramidal rank structure," Reyes explained in a statement.

He said Napolcom’s decision will solve the imbalance problem without additional funding requirements, considering that the PNP does not have much finances.

Lomibao was authorized to fill up 301 promotional slots for senior superintendents; 581 for superintendents; and 802 for chief inspectors.

He was also granted authority to promote 966 for the rank of senior inspectors; 413 for inspectors; 5,930 for SPO4s; 7,007 for SPO3s; and, 5,973 for SPO2s.

Napolcom Vice Chairwoman and Executive Officer Imelda Roces said the PNP should conduct a nationwide information dissemination drive to inform PNP members of the promotional vacancies.

She said existing policies and guidelines on the screening and evaluation of qualified promotables should be strictly followed.

Roces added that the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM) has been directed to publish the promotional vacancies in conspicuous places for at least 10 calendar days. – Michael Punongbayan