MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS OF NON-CRIMINOLOGY GRADUATES IN

JOINING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE

The Problem Overview

Policing is a type of career with a higher possibility of danger and pressure.

One of the important issues in criminal justice research is what kind of person and

why this person wanted to become one of the police officers. This research

determines the different motivations that a non-criminology graduate has, to join

the Philippine National Police. It finds out the different factors that affect their

decisions to enter the Philippine National Police. Additionally, the motivations and

perceptions were compared across recruits and officers to see if they changed

over time. The purpose of this study is to identify if how much motivated the non-

criminology graduates to go on with the job. This article examines the career

choice behavior of non-criminology graduates.

Background of the Study

A lot of us are having a hard time choosing a career. Choosing a career is

quite challenging and difficult. Our choices change as we grow older. Can you still

recognize the job you wanted to be when you were a child? Probably not, probably

yes. Our preferred career often changes depending on what kind of motivation we

had. There is an unexplainable connection between attitudes, expectations,

chances, and behaviors that affects motivation. Motivations are one of the

processes that we undergo in achieving the career we want. The term motivation

derives from the Latin movere," to move." It is virtually impossible to determine a

person's motivation until that person behaves or literally moves. By observing what

someone says or does in a given situation, one can draw reasonable inferences

about his or her underlying motivation. As it is used here, the term motivation refers

to the psychological process that gives behavior purpose and direction. By

appealing to this process, managers (motivators) attempt to get individuals to

willingly pursue organizational objectives. This research points out the different

professional choices that depend on the complexity of motivations especially for

those non-criminology graduates to enter the Philippine National Police.

Police officers interact with the public every day and finding out their specific

motivations will help develop effective training methods and recruitment strategies

(Tarng et al., 2001). For instance, officers can face situations that require the use

of force, they can find themselves in life or death situations, and some come in

contact with acts of violence or even death (Bishopp, Worrall, & Piquero, 2016).

Despite these challenging work-related characteristics, individuals still pursue

degrees in law enforcement, even though it can sometimes be dangerous and lead

them to high pressure situations (Tarng et al., 2001). Many are aiming to join the

Philippine National Police especially those graduate students from non-

criminology courses. According to the survey that many graduates who are jobless

now because of difficulties looking for a job that will fit in their finished course. For

all, we know that working in the government offers different benefits and bigger

salaries compared to any private company. Recently, PNP opened an opportunity

for those non-criminology graduates to fill out the lacking positions in different

offices. According to a recent study conducted by the National Police Commission

(Napolcom), future police officers will be composed mainly of nursing, education,

commerce, electronics tech, IT, and business administration graduates. In recent

years, the lack of employment in different professionalism lead them to seek

opportunity in PNP. As a result, criminologists faced stiff competition against

professionals and graduates. According to Napolcom, the records of the Public

Safety Field Training Program (PSFTP) shows that most of PNP recruitment and

classes for the past years that only 40%(percent) of Criminology graduates

compare to 60%(percent) who graduated from other courses. Dismissed PNP

Chief PDG Allan LM Purisima said a statement that seemed to undermine the

competencies of Criminology graduates. In his view, graduates of Criminology

“…are just fit to become workers at the crime laboratory” (Felipe, 2013). He also

said “he wants graduates of education, psychology, social work, mass

communications, and other professionals to become police officers. He expressed

the belief that teachers, psychologists, social workers, journalists, and other

professionals could serve the PNP better than criminology graduates

(Felipe,2013). (Emphasis supplied)” According to the Republic Act No. 6506

(1972) “any person who is a graduate of the Degree of Criminology, who has

passed the examination for criminologists and is registered as such by the Board

[of Criminology].” The law likewise recognizes the expertise of Criminology

graduates which includes, among others, a “law enforcement administrator,

executive, adviser, consultant or agent in any government…agency” and as

“technician in dactyloscopy, ballistics, questioned documents, police photography,

lie detection, forensic chemistry and other scientific aspects of crime detection.”
(RA 6506).

Police officers interact with the public every day and finding out their specific

motivations will help develop effective training methods and recruitment strategies

(Tarng et al., 2001). Reeling from a military past, the newly-instituted national in

scope and civilian in character police organization rose from the ashes of the

Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police (PC-INP)(RA 6975, 1990). At

that time, police applicants must have at least 72 baccalaureate units along with

other physical and legal requirements. It is necessary for police officers to undergo

different pieces of training to said that they are an effective officer. Developing

specific recruitment strategies is critical in order to appeal to potential recruits who

want to join the police force for altruistic reasons (Tarng et al., 2001). Many studies

have shown that one of the least important reasons for choosing law enforcement

as a career was for power and authority, while in contrast one of the most important

reasons cited across several studies was the opportunity to help people (Tarng et

al., 2001;White, Cooper, Saunders, & Raganella, 2010;Raganella & White,

2004;Foley, Guarneri & Kelly, 2008;Meagher & Yentes, 1986;Hageman,

1979;Lester, 1983). Training method improvements can aid in the strengthening

of police-community relations and advance the knowledge of police officers.

Developing specific recruitment strategies is critical in order to appeal to potential

recruits who want to join the police force for altruistic reasons (Tarng et al., 2001).

Many studies in different countries have found that factors such as job security and

steady salary were among the most important considerations by individuals in

deciding to join the police (e.g., Wu et al., 2009;Foley et al., 2008;Raganella &

White, 2004;Tarng et al., 2001;Meagher & Yentes, 1986).

As regards motivations of non-Criminology graduates in joining the PNP,

Mojares and her colleagues (2015) discovered the “internal and external factors”

that affect their motivation and decision in entering the PNP. In terms of internal

factors, the study revealed the top three reasons of non-Criminology graduates in

joining the police service. They “feel satisfied of being able to help other people”

(Rank 1); “enjoy the nature of being a police officer and member of the PNP” (Rank

2); and “curious on how to handle criminal cases, criminal behavior, and juvenile

delinquents” (Rank 3). In terms of external factors, the top three reasons were the

following: “There are future career opportunities as PNP member or higher rank in

PNP organization” (Rank1); “There is recognition of the society for function as PNP

member” (rank 2); and “There is security of tenure in the PNP profession” (Rank

3). In view of this development in the Philippine National Police, this qualitative

research examined the views and concepts of Criminologists employed as police

officers relative to their motivations, competencies and aspirations while in the

active service. Particular focus was given to these issues: 1) Motivations for being

in Criminology; 2) Competencies of Criminology graduates relevant to law

enforcement; and 3) Aspirations in choosing the law enforcement career.

Theoritical /Conceptual

The input-process-output structural framework is a specification of how different

input, intermediate, and output variables form causal relationships in a system. The

structural framework has four levels of abstraction: paradigm, theory, model, and

measurement. The highest layer of the framework has the highest of abstraction and vice

versa. The degree of specification increases as the layer goes down. A theory is an

implementation of a paradigm, a model is a specification of a theory, and a measurement

is the quantification or the empirical representation of a model. Implementations of the

structural framework may vary in the theory, model, and measurement levels. However,

the emphasis on input-process-output is firmly embedded in the paradigm level.

In Input, this something from the external environment that is fed into the system.

In this research the Input that the researcher considered is the Demographic Profile. This

mentioned input are existing in our study and its main objective is to relay in an information

which will be done in Process. Process is the transformation process that is most
important element of a system. It accepts the inputs into the system and performs some

type of operation on it which transforms it into some other state. In the simplest of terms,

the process is the heart of the system. In this research it will be the Survey, Interviews

and Focus Discussion Group. Outcome is the result of Input and Process. Without

Output, a system has no link back into its external environment. In this research the

possible Output the researcher aims to identify the motivation factors of non-criminology

graduates in Joining PNP.

Statement of the Problem

This research aims to have an in-depth analyzation of the motivations and factors

of non-criminology graduates to join the Philippine National Police. This research pull-out

the possible reasons why these people wanted to be the police. The paper aims to embark

on the effects of the different factors that affect the capabilities of non-criminology

graduates. The study aims to provide an answer to the following question:

1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:

a. Age

b. Gender

c. Course

d. School

e. Year Graduate

f. Designation

g. Years in Service
 2. What derives the motivation of the Non-Criminology Graduates to join in PNP in

terms of:

a. Job Security

b. Compensation and Benefits

c. Recruitment Process

d. Trainings

3. What are the factors affecting the motivation of Non Criminology in Joining PNP in

terms of :

a. Internal

b. External

4. What are the significant relationship between the profile of the respondents and

their motivational factors in joining PNP?

Research Design and Methodology

The researcher used a qualitative research method to identify the motivational

factors clearly. This study has exploratory aims to explain different motivational factors of

non-criminology graduates to join the Philippine National Police.

Qualitative research is defined as a market research method that focuses on

obtaining data through open-ended and conversational communication. Qualitative

research methods are designed in a manner that helps reveal the behavior and

perception of a target audience with reference to a particular topic. There are different

types of qualitative research methods like an in-depth interview, focus groups,

ethnographic research, content analysis, case study research that are usually used.
 The researchers strongly believe that this method will elaborate and explain this

research well.

Population and Locale of the Study

The study will be held in Claveria Cagayan police station. The participants of the

study will be 5 PNP members who are not criminology graduate with the following criteria:

must be a PNP Member with minimum length of years of experience of 1 year assigned

in Claveria Cagayan during the study.

Ethical Consideration

Ethical considerations in this research will be consider and will occur at all stages

of the research process. It will be considered as an ongoing and reflexive part of the

research process throughout the life of a research project and not just as the first hurdle

to be overcome. The following will be the details about the kinds of ethical issues that

can arise in this study. These are not set out as prescriptive rules, however. Rather, the

issues are raised to encourage the kind of researcher reflexivity that is one cornerstone

of the Institution to approach to research ethics. While the ‘right’ answer in one situation

may not be appropriate in another, the same questions generally are.

Data Analysis

The use of statistical techniques is effective way of analyzing the data gathered. The data

were gathered and treated statistically using various statistical tools. The researchers

used the following statistical treatment: Frequency and Percentage Distribution for profile

of the respondents and weighted mean for the motivational factors of the respondents in

joining PNP.
References:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/4970531_Personal_background_and_reasons

_for_choosing_a_career_in_policing_An_empirical_study_of_police_students_in_Taiwa

http://www.journalijar.com/uploads/819_IJAR-8949.pdf

http://macson4.blogspot.com/2017/08/non-criminology-courses-dominates-in.html

https://www.questionpro.com/blog/qualitative-research-methods/

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a58e/a2c3e66a92b11e03d01128ecc9a464b850ae.pdf

https://www.academia.edu/29223373/MOTIVATIONAL_FACTORS_OF_NON-

CRIMINOLOGY_GRADUATES_IN_JOINING_THE_PHILIPPINE_NATIONAL_POLICE
Appendices