Though the policemen acknowledge the importance of taking additional courses for career advancement, they said the requirement also breeds laziness and corruption within the ranks.
The cops explained that work takes a back seat as promotions are obtained by taking advanced courses. There were some, they said, who just pay the professors to get school credits.
As a basis for promotion, all policemen are required to undergo training equivalent to their rank and take courses such as Public Safety Junior Leadership Course, Public Safety Senior Leadership Course, Officer Candidate Course, Officer Basic Course, Officer Advanced Course, Officer Senior Executive Course and General Staff Course.
A policeman who is promoted to a higher rank gets only a "temporary rank status" until he complies with the required career course for his new rank. According to veteran cops, the new breed of policemen now lose the motivation to solve crimes and perform satisfactorily to be promoted.
According to an official of the 3,000-strong Manila’s Finest Brotherhood Association Inc. (MFBAI) the various courses required for promotion are "repetitive" and most were already taken up in college.
MBFAI director SPO2 Virgo Villareal said a non-commissioned officer spends at least P50,000 for each course and is "out-of-service" to the people for at least three months while in school. The expenses include uniforms and class projects.
He stressed that the subjects or courses should include basic command of English, firearm proficiency, actual police investigation, new criminal laws, martial arts, computer typing, management and human rights, anti-insurgency and anti-terrorism intelligence.
Villareal pointed out that promotion should be based on service, experience and accomplishments, especially for policemen who have been in the service for 20 years.
He cited a memorandum from the National Police Commission (Napolcom) which states that performance, educational attainment, experience and length of service should serve as basis for promotion.
MFBAI has aired their concern to the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Public Safety College, Civil Service Commission and Napolcom.