PNP to take over training of criminology students

MANILA, Philippines - Criminology students will undergo the National Service Training Program (NSTP) under the Philippine National Police (PNP) to prepare them to be police officers.

Director Lina Sarmiento, PNP Directorate for Police Community Relations chief, said the promotion of responsible citizenship, respect for laws and authorities, and participation in civic activities must be integrated in the tertiary level, particularly criminology and peace and security studies.

“Students taking up criminology and other related courses usually dream of becoming police officers someday, so we wanted to teach them as early as today on the simple duties of a law enforcer,” she said.

Sarmiento signed with the approval of PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with four universities to promote responsible citizenship and participation in civic activities for college students, particularly those taking up criminology and peace and security courses.

Under the MOA with Philippine College of Criminology and PHINMA Groups’ Araullo University; Iloilo University and Cagayan de Oro University, the PNP will provide training syllabus under Civic Welfare Training Service as a component of the NSTP, he added.

At present, college students undergo Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) under the supervision of the Armed Forces.

Sarmiento said the program includes self-awareness and values development, leadership training, dimension of development, community exposure and community service.

With the training, students could help the PNP enforce laws and ordinances relative to the protection of lives and properties, she added. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Christina Mendez