On the 22nd day of May 2023, the Philippine National Police welcomed and inducted the 606 highly qualified Technical and Line Officers into the premiere ranks of the police force.
Police General Benjamin C. Acorda, Jr., Chief PNP, presided over the oath-taking, donning, and pinning of rank insignias on the Newly Appointed Police Commissioned Officers (NAPCOs) under the PNP Lateral Entry Program Calendar Year 2022, in a significant ceremony conducted at the National Headquarters in Camp BGen Rafael T. Crame, Quezon City.
Police Colonel (PCol) Maria Leonora C. Camarao, the Director of the PNP Recruitment and Selection Service (PRSS), led in the Presentation of Candidates for Appointment for Lateral Entry for Technical and Line Officers. Subsequently, PCol Benjamin DL. Sembrano, the Acting Executive Officer of the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM), affirmed the appointments of the lateral entrants through a reading of the Appointment Orders signed by Police Major General Robert T. Rodriguez, Director of DPRM.
Representatives from the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) were also present – Director Josephmar B. Gil, the Staff Service Chief of the Personnel & Administrative Service (PAS); and Dir. Evangeline R. Almirante, the Staff Service Chief of the Planning & Research Service (PRS). Plaques of Appreciation were presented to them afterwards by the PNP Chief and the Command Group: Police Lieutenant General (PLtGen) Rhodel O. Sermonia, the Acting Deputy PNP Chief for Administrations; and PLtGen Michael John F. Dubria, the Acting Deputy PNP Chief for Operations.
The appointment of new Police Commissioned Officers (PCOs) in the Philippine National Police is a significant process and entails several implications that directly impact on leadership and command within ranks; operational efficiency; professional development of personnel; accountability and discipline; strategic decision-making; and public perception and trust.
Hence, the appointment of the 606 NAPCOs in PNP holds great importance as it influences the direction of leadership, operational effectiveness, accountability, and public perception of the law enforcement agency. It is an indispensable process to ensure that only competent individuals are given the responsibility to maintain law and order and protect the welfare of the public.
Chief PNP Gen Acorda, when addressing the NAPCOs, underscored the significance of their respective roles, stating, “As newly appointed police commissioned officers, you have already proven your capabilities in your respective fields… it is time to channel that expertise into the law enforcement arena. You will be entrusted to lead while upholding justice, protecting the innocent, and ensuring the safety and security of our nation. This is a sacred duty that requires integrity, courage, and compassion.”
“Let us embody the spirit of “Serbisyong Nagkakaisa” as we serve and protect our fellow Filipinos. Remember to serve well and in harmony with your fellow police officers, [with] other government agencies, and the community who [rely] on our service and protection,” Gen. Acorda asserted.
Out of the 606 NAPCOs, 516 Line Officers with the rank of Police Lieutenant (PLt) will be assigned to National Support Units (NSU), such as Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), Intelligence Group (IG), Highway Patrol Group (HPG), Special Action Force (SAF); and Police Regional Offices (PROs) of National Capital Region, Region 6, 7, 8 and 13.
The remaining 91 Technical Officers from among the NAPCOs will be assigned to other NSUs: Legal Service (LS), Chaplain Service (CHS), Health Service (HS), Forensic Group (FG), Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), Information Technology Management System (ITMS), and Engineering Service (ES). Amongst the 91 Technical Officers, 29 lawyers, four Catholic Priests, two Evangelical Pastors, and seven Medical Doctors took their oath with the rank of Police Captain, while the remaining Technical Officers with the rank of Police Lieutenant.
Before reporting to their respective unit assignments, all newly appointed police commissioned officers were handed over to the Directorate of Human Resource and Doctrine Development (DHRDD) to complete the mandatory Officer’s Basic Course and Field Training Program.
