Chapter V- Police Community Relation

INTRODUCTION:

The PNP as an organization is a part of the community it serves. Every police officer shall concern
himself on maintainin`g a meaningful relation with the community. In his daily activities, he is guided
constantly by strong sense of responsibility, courtesy and sincerity. Good service is often a matter of
how a person presents himself to the public. Courtesy, however, must be coupled with firmness in
order to command respect.
Community relation is like a three-legged stool. Each leg is of an equal importance in holding the stool
upright. One leg is public relations in its traditional sense. Another leg is community service. The third
leg is community participation, and this is facet of the total community relations’ job that is being
emphasized today in police and community relations program.
In effect, it involves an inter-professional or framework approach to a wide number and variety of
community problems in which the police and other social institutions have common stake. Stated
otherwise, we learn from one another as we develop respect for those who are in some ways different
from ourselves.
This suggests that problem solving can be an exciting educational experience. It involves the idea of a
police officer as a community leader, profoundly engaged in the preventive policing that is the
metabolism of effective police and community relations as distinguish from tactical policing, concerned
only with what is to be done after the fact of a prior or major disorder. It is who portray the police officer
as a “professional citizen”, gradually to rid the police officer of what has been called the PARIAH (a
person despised or rejected) complex.

A. Definition of Terms

1. Police – is a group of person s established, maintain and organized for keeping order, safety,
protection of lives and properties and for prevention and detection of crimes.
2. Community – refers to the civilian populace in cities, municipalities or Public in general, and shall
used interchangeably with public, citizenry, society or private sectors.
3. Police Ideal – is the expected essence of perfection, sympathetic, courteous intelligent honest and
in control of his emotions and temper at all times. It also includes courage and highest sense of
dedication to duty.
4. Personal Media – Implies the use of rallies, meetings, speeches and house to house visits to the
community.
5. Mass Media – implies the use of radio, television and a motion pictures in transmitting information
to the public.
6. Barangay – is the basic political unit of Filipino nation that implements the policies of the national
and local government.
7. Propaganda – defined as the planned use of public or mass communication media.(the
dissemination of information)

B. POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS - It is the sum total of dealings between the police and the
people it serves and whose goodwill and cooperation it craves for the greatest possible efficiency in
the service.

B.1. OBJECTIVES OF POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS

The following are the main objectives of Community Relation from the viewpoint of Law Enforcement
and Community safety:

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 a. To maintain and develop the goodwill and confidence of the community for the people.
b. To obtain cooperation and assistance.
c. To develop public understanding and support and appreciation for the service of the people.
d. To create broader understanding and sympathy with the problems and needs of the public.
e. To facilitate law enforcement and community.
f. To build public opinion in favor of the police.
g. To achieve the Police purpose or preserving the peace, protection of life and property, and the
prevention of crime.

B.2. Types of Police Community Relations

The basic ingredients in the effective observance of police community relation include the following:

1. Public Information Program- designed to bridge any communication gap between the police and
public. Every PNP unit is expected to conduct and develop a good workable public information
program and this is the basic among the four programs of community relation.

The following are the activities Implemented by Public Information Officers.

a. Conduct of barangay tanod seminars.
b. Conduct of barangay meetings to inform the barangay officials regarding trends and other
police community problems.
c. Police station commanders assign a place in police station for barangay leaders so that they
can work together and provide coordination.
d. Produce and distribute brochures, advising the people on how to protect themselves in their
homes and premises.
e. Conduct environment sanitation seminars.
f. Conduct troop information or educational and historical lectures in all units offices of Police
districts.
g. Discuss with high school students and parents/teachers association about drug abuse
prevention and control.
h. Conduct cleanliness, saturation or information drive where notices of such deficiencies are
issued.
i. Established police counseling centers in zones/barangays to provide advise to barangay
leaders on crime prevention and control.

2. Public Relation Program- This is designed to maintain harmony and mutual support between the
police and the community. Every PNP unit from station level up to higher level, shall have a Public
Relations Officer to look after the Public relation aspects of police work. The mission of PRO is to
gain public support for police policies and to win citizens cooperation in the program and procedure
of the police station in order to facilitate the accomplishments of police task.

Activities Implemented by Public Relation Officer

a. Conduct face to face communications including dialogue with the public.
b. Attend social cultural activities of the barangay, such as birthdays, weddings, wake and others.
c. Attend multi-social ugnayans, which include religious sectors, schools, barangay civic
organizations and government agencies.
d. Sending letters of appreciation to citizen whom assists the police in their work.
e. Conduct first aid and traffic safety education.
f. Promotion of manpower development for out of school youth.
g. Sponsorship of youth athletic activities.

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 h. Assist immediate in settling dispute at barangay level.

3. Psychological Program – This is designed to condition both friendly and hostile public thereby
insuring facilitating the attainment of police objectives. This program is designed to influence the
opinions, emotions, attitudes and behaviors of the community so that they will behave in a manner
beneficial to the police particularly the PNP in general, either directly or indirectly. It will condition
the citizenry to adhere to the laws of the land and dissuade them in committing crimes. These may
be spoken, written, pictorial or musical forms.

- These may be information ideas, doctrine, or special appeal disseminated to influence the
opinion, emotions, attitudes or behavior of specified group. It may through the publication of
timely leaflets, pamphlets, slogan, billboards, and other media designed to improve not only the
PNP image but also individual members of the force. PNP personnel are in good position to
conduct psychological operation because of their direct contact with the people in their
respective areas.
- The police unit in the provinces knows the ideological temper and peculiarities, including the
susceptibilities of the people in the localities. Psychological direction should be an integral part
of police operation because of the reason that, use of force cannot alone solve the problems of
dissidence and lawlessness. Police assigned in the Psychological Operation Program should
be equipped with basic knowledge on psychological principles and must devote time for “heart-
to-heart” talk or dialogue with the people, particularly the youth.

Activities Implemented by Psychological Operation Officer;

a. Conduct seminars for barangay officials, police civic relation officers, school officials to enable
them to understand home defense activities.
b. Promote seminars among barangay leaders regarding community relation activities.
c. Identify income generating projects/activities.

Teach- ins, live- ins and Barangay

- To demonstrate the sincerity and concern of the PNP for the welfare of the people in the
community, and to make its Psychological Program effective, it may be necessary for
appropriate members of PNP to conduct “teach- in” and “live-in” within the community. These
are particularly effective in the rural but could be practiced sparingly in the cities.Teach-ins.
- Members of the PNP assigned to conduct Psychological Operations may gather small group of
residents, including persons of influence in the community and give lectures or engage the
group in forma l conversation. Individuals conducting the teach-in strive to become intimate
with the group to identify their personal problems and offer sincere suggestions on how to solve
them, but always in support to the police mission of eradicating crime and lawlessness. The
lectures and conversations should take several hours and much as possible extends up to
nighttime. The termination of such teach-ins, the police conducting the same expect to gain
personal friendship and high credibility among the citizens in the community. These activities
may be repeated in as many communities as are necessary, with priority for places where the
police finds big obstacles in the accomplishment of its enforcement mission.

Live-ins.
- The live-ins is detailed and more extensive version of the teach-ins. Police officer assigned to
conduct live-in should preferably be a long time resident, if not native born citizen of the place
where the live-in is conducted. The same techniques employed in teach-ins may be used in the
conduct of live-ins. The conductor resides with a resident of known probability and good reputation

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 as a law abiding citizen, for at least two days, depending upon the evaluation of the situation of the
conductor. In this activity, it is necessary for the conductor to bring his own food and not be a
burden to the family with which he will live. He may help in the daily chores such as chopping
firewood, fetching water and accompanying the folks to church, social gathering during the live-in.
The conductor of the live-in may go to the extent where and when advisable, donating medicines
from the PNP stocks and performing first aid. He should look into most urgent problems of the
family with whom he is conducting the live-ins in order to find out what assistance he could extend.
The assistance may have to take the form of a donation of vegetable seeds to the family, helping
write letter to relatives, bank or official of the local/national government to expedite monetary claim
and others. Whatever be the problems of the family, the conductor of the live-ins seeks to see how
he can help gain the best support with the family and eventually support the police. The conductor
of live-ins should as much as possible, involve members of neighboring families and other who
wish to join, during the informal talks or family circle gathering.

The Barangay
- The barangay is the basic political unit of the Filipino nation that implements policies of national and
local governments. Next to family circle, it is necessary to involve the Barangay Chairman and the
members of the Barangay Council in the group with whom the teach-ins or live-ins is conducted.
The Barangay Chairman, Barrio Captain, Barangay Leader and Barangay Council members shall,
within their respective districts or barrios, assist the regular police agencies in the maintenance of
peace and order. For this purpose, such officials, in addition to their other functions, discharge or
perform the following responsibilities and duties.

a. To report immediately to the law enforcement/police authorities concerned, the occurrence of

crime, accident, public disturbance or public nuisance of which he has personal knowledge or
which may brought to his attention.
b. To report immediately to the law enforcement/police authorities the presence of any unknown
criminal or suspicious character in his jurisdiction.
c. To conduct surveillance on suspicious activities or groups within his district or barrio and to
report immediately to the police any positive findings or information gathered.
d. To conduct surveillance of crime-breeding areas in the barangay and report his observation to
the law enforcement officers.
e. To assist police authorities in tracing the whereabouts of missing persons, arresting escape
prisoners and other fugitives from justice and recovering stolen properties and confiscating
contrabands.
f. To assist police authorities and other competent authorities in the service or the execution of
warrant and other judicial processes.
g. To coordinate closely with and actively assist law enforcers in the drives against all forms of
vice, smuggling, carnapping, drug addiction, juvenile delinquency, violation of special laws and
all other forms of lawlessness.

4. Civic Action Program – This program is designed to maintain and encourage community
development. The CAP is an activity that makes the police officer a friend and partner of the
people for progress as well as their defender. It can range upward from basic individual act of
courtesy of self-help, up to major engineering projects. The CAP shall be concerned with Public
welfare consistent with law enforcement duties. As a law enforcer, he should also be involved in
the development and promotion of program and projects that would enhance the public image of
the police not only as the guardian of the peace but also initiator of meaningful activities on
promoting the social and economic interest of the community.

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Activities Implemented By Civic Action Officer
a. Conduct of free reflexology programs.
b. Assist the Philippines National Red Cross on blood donation campaign by exerting extra effort
in appealing to barangay officials.
c. Conduct free medical and dental civic action community.
d. Conduct free deforming of affected children in depressed areas.
e. Assisting the citizens in case of transportation strike and other similar cause.
f. Develop and maintain cleanliness and beautification of surroundings.
g. Attend to backyard gardening, tree planting and greening projects.

B.3. THE MAJOR STRUCTURE COMPONENTS OF PCR

1. POLICE INFORMATION AND EDUCATION- Are communication activities utilizing the various
forms of media geared towards creating consciousness and awareness among target audience on
facts and issues vital to the development of an efficient, respected and supported police force.

THE SUBCOMPONENT OF POLICE INFORMATION AND EDUCATION

a. Community Information- Community Information are activities utilizing the various forms of media
directed towards the public at large designed to increase their consciousness and knowledge of
facts and issues for purpose of enhancing law enforcement, counter insurgency and crime
prevention efforts, increasing crime solution efficiency to include weakening of the will of the
criminal elements and insurgents and enlightening other groups of individual critical to the
government in general and the police organization in particular.
b. Institutional Information - Institutional Information are activities utilizing the various forms of media
directed towards the public at large designed to generate trust, confidence and popular support for
the PNP or simply enhancing public perception and knowledge about the PNP as an institution of
the government.

2. POLICE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS - Are activities outside law enforcement but which necessitates
PNP support and or participation, the end result of which ultimately contribute to better appreciation
and an enhanced support to the PNP in whole in part by the populace.

THE SUBCOMPONENT OF POLICE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

a. Community Assistance and Development- these are activities outside the field of the law
enforcement under taken upon the initiative of the PNP unit of personnel for the purpose of
enhancing life as a means of drawing the support, appreciation and support of the public towards
the PNP.
Examples:
- Skills, Livelihood, Cooperative Development
- Sports, Socio cultural Development
- Medical, Dental Outreach Services
- Tree Planting
b. Community Inter Relations- these are activities outside the field of law enforcement under taken
upon the initiative of other government agencies- governmental organization, and or individual
citizens whereby a PNP unit or personnel actively contributes time, money and or service as a

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 means of drawing the support, appreciation, and cooperation of the public towards the PNP in
whole or in part.
c. Community Organization and mobilization- these are activities revolving around the accreditation of
existing groups or creation of new ones with the end in view of having allies within various sectors
in the community who could be tapped to assist the conduct of law services. Community works and
the like.

B.4. THE COMPONENTS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PCR PLAN AND ITS OBJECTIVES:

The two components of the plan are, INTERNAL REFORM and GAINING OF INSTITUTIONAL
SUPPORT. The aim is to improve the image of the PNP and reassure the general public that they can
depend on the PNP to be their protector and guardian in order to hasten and facilitate community
mobilization for anticrime efforts.

A. NET WORKING OPERATIONS: “THE CONCEPT OF EXECUTION”

The following institutions shall be the priority target:

1. CONGRESS: Congress being the law making body, is one of the vital governmental institutions
that can support the PNP. The PNP must master enough support from Congress so that laws
needed to enhance its capabilities to safeguard peace and order of the community and ensure
public safety as well as laws on organizational development and modernization maybe enacted.

The following activities may be taken:

a. Organizational Level Liaison work:
The Directorate for PCR shall maintain a liaison office with Congress whose main task is monitor,
get the pulse, actively interact and possibly influence lawmakers on matters affecting the PNP.
Since relationship with this institution must be symbolic then this office shall also be responsible in
giving general, special, technical assistance to Congress as pertains to the PNP.
b. Top Hierarchy Level Liaison work:
Top leadership of the command shall conduct regular Face to Face dialogues with key members of
the Congress as well as different Congressional Committees handling PNP affairs in order to
present for their appreciation and support on matters affecting the PNP.

2. THE MEDIA: The media unquestionably is the most powerful instrument in forming public opinion.
Hence, there is the need to generate support from this institution of our society. Specific activities to be
taken with respect to this institution are the following:

a. Development of guidelines on Media—PNP relationship. In brief, these guidelines shall form

the basis of the PNP as an organization as well as of its individual personnel dealing with the
media.
b. Providing timely and accurate information through press releases, regular conference, daily
bulletins, and attendance to talk show and similar programs.
c. Giving the media reasonable accessibility to source of information in accordance with the
existing security regulations.
d. Improvement of rapport with media through non-law enforcement activities such as sports,
outing parties and the like.
e. Giving of special awards by the PNP to deserving media personalities.

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3. THE CHURCH: Another important institution of our society is the church, especially in opinion
building in predominantly God living and God fearing country such as ours. The opinion of church
leaders, carry much weight among the religious people. It need not underscore that a pastoral
letter read through out the country carry great impact.
a. Relationship or union (liaison) with important church personalities.
b. Monitoring and assessment
c. Special activities

4. THE STUDENTS/ SCHOOL: Another big and important institution of society whose support,
sympathy (understanding) and empathy ( personality projection)when properly exploited will
provide the PNP a potentiality.
a. Effective liaison work (union) with key school authorities
b. Monitoring and assessment
c. Involvement and support in different school activities such:
d. Drug education program
e. Crime prevention program
f. Immunization and vaccination program
g. Organization of Junior Police
h. Medical/Dental outreach program in coordination with DECS/DOH

5. COMMUNITY/NGO: Another institution of the society, that plays a vital role in enhancing the PNP
image. They are composed of society people having common rights and privileges, common
interest and aspiration formally organized but at times most determinative of the outcome of an
issue.

C. PUBLIC INFORMATION AND PROPAGANDA OPERATIONS:

1. ON INTERNAL SECURITY
Intensified information on evils of the ideology and actual terrorist operations through regular
issuance of press releases. The editors or columnists should enhanced utilization of the tri media
to write, print and broadcast.

2. ON CRIME PREVENTION:/LAW ENFORCEMENT

a. Sustained information drive on how the public can reach public assistance.
b. Strengthen public and the utilization of the tri-media especially on modus operandi, safety
and the like.
3. ON PUBLIC SAFETY
a. Intensified information drive on pre disaster preparedness.
b. Support information drive on how to get government assistance when affected by calamity
or disaster.
c. Intensified information campaign to generate awareness and sympathy for the victims of
calamities and disasters with the aim of gaining relief goods and other support to them.

4. CONDUCTING INTERNAL REFORMS:

a. Continuous Values Orientation and Skill development of the PNP personnel: Intensification
of police education and values orientation. Internalization of the Code of Ethics and
Professional Standard of the PNP; Moral and Spiritual values and basic courtesies relative
to law enforcement.

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 b. Unrelenting (not forgiving) clean up of the organization of misfits, criminal elements, and
leaders with low potential. Entails the continuous investigation, suspension or dismissed of
misguided and erring police officers at all level. More on OPLAN PAGBABAGO.
c. Not forgiving effort to brighten up the physical appearance of the PNP facilities and vehicle.
Sprucing (dressing up or arranging it neatly) up of all police station or offices to create a
public friendly atmosphere therein and the exercise of proper care.

5. CAPAIGN FEEDBACK AND EVALUATION SYSTEM (CFES)

Bases of giving rating to the performance of the PNP, are the following:
a. Unit Visitation: This system involved the conduct of scheduled and run scheduled visits by
personnel of this directorate to check into performance, appearance and behavior of police
personnel and the state of PNP facilities and vehicles.
b. Surveys: Involves the conduct of random surveys by the PR (Public Relation) or private
agencies to determine the public perception of a particular PNP unit or office.
c. Records: Involves the submission and analysis of periodic reports and special reports by
PNP units as required.
d. Interviews: Involves the conduct of casual and or structural interviews of selected
individuals who can provide insight on the current state of police community relation.
Example is the consultation with the barangay leader.
e. Media Analysis: Involves the monitoring of reports, stories commentaries printed or aired
by mass media practitioners to determine perception of individuals who are considered as
effective molders of public opinion.

IMPACT OF POOR PCR TO THE PUBLIC

1. Will not report the occurrence of crimes.
2. Will not come forward and provide information.
3. Will be uncooperative or will not assist in the apprehension of criminals.
4. Will not be supportive of police activities
5. Will not testify in court voluntarily
6. May even aid the criminals

IMPACT OF POOR PCR TO POLICE OFFICERS

1. Becomes less judicious and less discreet
2. Reluctant to act on some matters needing police action
3. Induce unnecessary use of force
4. Induce verbal abuse
5. Induce improper practices
6. Makes an officer isolated and unhappy in his community
7. Diminishes his sense of fulfillment

LIMITATIONS
1. Lukewarm attitude of some
2. Inadequate general and technical support for PCR
3. Lack of qualified/trained personnel for assignment with PCR units
4. Enhancement of linkages between PCR units and other PNP units

D. PUBLIC RELATION - It is a program designed to make the public aware of what the agency is
doing, why and how it contributes to the welfare of the community.

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TYPES OF PUBLIC RELATION:
1. Public Awareness Program- familiarizing the public with the true nature of police operations.
The following are public awareness programs:
a. Mobile Vans- certain variety of display and exhibit of police equipment, which help to explain to
the public what the police do and how they do it.
b. Displays and Exhibits- set up in department stores, shopping centers, and other public
locations are popular ways in which the police can bring their messages to the public.
c. Informative Materials- distribution of pamphlets or brochures, which are designed to explain
their services to the public.
d. Open House- conducted during times of the year such as police week, or law observance
week, public tours of facility.
e. Public Speakers- provides speakers for various types of public gatherings such as civic clubs,
businessmen, associations and social groups.
f. Ride Along- permits number of the community to ride in a police car with an officer and
observed field operations.

2. Information Programs- providing the public with information, which is directly related to the interest
and needs of the community.
The following are information programs:
a. New Arrivals- making some members of the community feels at home in their new
surroundings.
b. Traffic Advisory Reports- coordinate with the media in announcing important traffic matters
such as road accidents, highway construction and traffic congestion.
c. Informational Bureaus- information about such things as renewal of drivers licenses, payments
of utility bills, availability of legal services and other items.
d. Informational Brochures- provide the public with booklets, pamphlets and other types of
publications which contain information of community interest.
e. Image Building Program- promoting programs, which are designed to create a more favorable
public image of the police.
The following are the image building:
- Citizens awards
- Police Color Guard
- Police Citizens Luncheons
- Operational Handshake
- Recruit Visitation Programs
- Community Events
- Gifts packages
DUTIES OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICERS:
a. To evaluate public opinion and attitudes with respect to the policies, methods and personnel of
the police station.
b. To advice the police station commander with regard to the public relations aspects of new or
revised departmental programs, policies, procedures and activities
c. To plan and to carry out programs aimed at keeping the public informed on police activities and
d. To provide staff supervision of all police activities that may influence public support.

NEED FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT

The ultimate objective of police community relations is to influence the opinions, emotions, attitudes,
and behavior of the public so that they will behave in a manner beneficial to the unit, in particular, and

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the PNP in general either directly or indirectly, and to solicit public support in order to make it easier for
the police accomplish their task successfully.

FOUNDATION OF PUBLIC RELATIONS:

Public relations are basically founded on the GOLDEN RULE: Do not do unto others what you do not
want others do unto you.
Public relations is also founded on the following concepts:
1. Live and let die
2. Give before you seek to get
3. Give what is due to others
4. See the other person’s side
5. Respect so you would be respected

PRINCIPLES OF POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS:

Every member of the PNP shall adhere to the following principles of police community relations:

a. Public support must be maintained. Every policeman shall be worthy of the public’s high trust if
he does his job well and leaves nothing unaccomplished through carelessness. He shall
appear able and willing to serve all.
b. Public resentment must be avoided. The policeman shall always bear in mind the interest of
the public and shall develop friendly relations by his good conduct. He shall avoid nay
occasion to humiliate, embarrass, annoy or cause inconvenience to any individual.
c. Public goodwill must be developed. The policeman must be courteous, fair and quick to assist
individuals in the solutions of their problems.
d. The public must be kept informed on regulations and policies. The police must inform the
public on the regulations and policies of the police forces and the reason for their adoption.

PEACE OFFICER’S INDIVIDUAL PUBLIC RELATIONS

The peace officer’s individual public relations are divided into five categories, namely:

a. Domestic Relations – this consist of a person’s dealing with his family, parents and immediate
relatives, with whom he has to have good relationship in order to develop a respectable family
prestige as well as cordial community relations.
b. Neighborhood Relations – this consist of a person’s dealing with neighbor who constitute a vital
link to good reputation in the community.
c. Community Relations – this is made up of a person’s dealing with the citizens of the
community, city or town where a person likes, his membership or contribution to civil
undertakings and his membership or contribution to the civic organization or community
associations in the locality.
d. Church Relation – this consist of a person’s dealing with religious affiliation is necessary for the
stability of moral principle.
e. Government Relations – this is made up of the dealings, which a person has with the
government and its various instrumentalities. The recognition of government authorities, its
laws and ordinance, as well as other public responsibilities, are significant phases of an
individuals public relations.

THE PEACE OFFICER’S PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC RELATION:

The peace officer’s professional public relations are divided into eight (8) categories, namely:

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Intra- departmental relation- this is made up of the peace officers relations with the officers and men of
his own department, his supervisor, the station commander, as well as the city/municipal mayor where
he is assigned.
a. Inter- departmental relations – relations with other police agencies are evident in his
cooperation’s and dealings with the PNP and other law enforcement agencies of the
government.
b. Citizen’s relations – this includes all dealings or contact with the citizens in relations to the
enforcement of the law and the maintenance of peace and order, together with the giving of
information to the public or criminal and non-criminal activities.
c. Complaints relations – this includes how officer deals with complaints, the techniques of
interview he uses, the manner of approach he adopts, the treatment of witnesses as well as
informers.
d. Relations with accused persons – this covers the proper treatment of suspects, the recognition
of their constitutional rights during custodial investigation and the handling of accused persons
during confinement.
e. Relations with State Prosecutor- this includes a police officer’s duty to cooperate during
preliminary investigations and the gathering of further evidence, once the case is, filed by the
fiscal.
f. Judicial relations – this consists of the peace officer’s duties toward the courts when appearing
as a witness and the honesty of his testimony.

F. THE MANY COMMUNITIES IN COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Each of these communities, and others, will receive individual attention. At this point, however, it is
important to recognize a few of the many communities that make up the environment in which police
work. Each has a distinct way with police and with each other. Each community must be a part of
police-community relations if it is to be truly effective.

A. External Communities
1. The Justice Community – other police agencies, jurisdiction, courts, and corrections
departments existing at many levels of government are a part of the justice community with
which police must interact. The nature of the relationship between police and members of
the justice community has a direct impact on police effectiveness in achieving their goals.
A lack of coordination, communication, and mutual respect within this community, or
system, is legendary. Community relations include relations with this community as a
whole and with its individual members.
2. The Human Services Community – The human services umbrella includes many public
and private social service resources mental health general services. Media civic and
religious groups and educational services. Mutual support and availability or services may
be lacking because of poor police-community relations. Keeping the peace may depend
upon access to coordination of such resources.
3. Citizens and the Police – Peel’s Principles states that “the police must secure the willing
cooperation of the public in voluntary observance of the law to be able to secure and
maintain public respect.” Part of the police community relations is, understanding the
public the police serve and having the public understand the police. The public is
composed of people with varying needs and hopes, who live in a changing society and
bring to the society conflicting values and cultural rules. The police agency is relatively
closed, somewhat secretive, and vague as to what the police role and citizen role should
be. Citizen participation in policing, particularly in crime prevention aspects has increased
in recent years.

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B. Internal Communities
1. The Personal Support Community – The officer’s support group, both in the sense of family
system and close personal relationships, affect the officer’s perspective and effectiveness.
The officer has an impact on the support group as well. This relationship may be one of the
most critical in determining the officer’s ability to cope with the human experience of being
a cop. It may also determine to a large degree how the individual officer will relate with
other communities.
2. The Police Community – The police officer as a member of the police agency and police
structure must also be considered. It is this community that can determine whether police-
community relations outside the agency will be supported or undermined both as a matter
of policy and practice. The first positive relationship that must formed effective community
relations, in a larger sense that is to be accomplished is, within the agency itself.

FOUNDATION OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS – The foundation of good community relations is

efficient service. No amount of publicity can cover up inefficiency or poor public service of the police.
The requirements for good community relations are;
1. sincerity in serving the public
2. full knowledge of the job
3. deep conviction in the mobility of his work as a necessary service to promote individual or
national welfare
4. sound police ethics
5. high standard of management and operation.

How to Regain and Maintain the Trust and Confidence?

1. The police should be people oriented to recognize the divergence of people and yet capable to
be working together with them for a common good. Being good is not enough; you must show
it by the way you perform your job and by the state of discipline of every officer and men in the
police station or similar unit.
2. The command must increase the personnel assigned to patrol division in line with the police
visibility program and to make them available to provide police assistance at any time.
3. Requesting the community to assist in identifying the scalawags in uniform as a basis for giving
immediate disciplinary action against them.
4. The policeman should closely coordinate with the business community to identify areas where
police presence is needed.
5. Conduct in-depth study and to initiate the immediate assignment of police to every barangay to
serve the public needs and to call upon residents and oversee their well-being.

POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY – The PNP program of growth includes the development of the
essential attribution of all its members. Every police thus:
1. Shall be loyal to the service, which he belong and is proud of.
2. Shall be sympathetic and display the ability to feel the suffering of other people.
3. Shall be confident in his ability to know the job and do it well.
4. Shall dispose of and act on all cases correctly.
5. Shall guard against harsh judgment from opinion in advance.
6. Shall be courteous to the community at any place and on any occasion.
7. Shall demonstrate strong faith in what he is doing.
8. Shall not sulk in the face of danger but with his mental conviction and physical strength.
9. Shall maintain an attitude of enthusiasm, dedication, zeal and pride in his work.
10. Shall be tact in his dealing with people of the community.

Compiled by: VAL.RCrim,LPT

11. Shall be firm and unyielding but not officious in dealing with people.
12. Shall be serious and purposeful but not officious in dealing with people.
13. Shall genuinely be interested to his task.
14. Shall avoid unwarranted practice or situation that will endanger him.
15. Shall be patient when the situation demands.

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Compiled by: VAL.RCrim,LPT