LEA O1- POLICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

LESSON 1
What is Police?

• It is a body of civil authority which is tasked to maintain peace and order, enforce the law,
protect lives and properties and ensure public safety.
• It is an agency of a community or government that is responsible for enforcing the law,
maintaining public order, and preventing and detecting crimes.

As a pillar of Criminal Justice System, what are the different police activities?
• Prevention of Crime
• Repression or suppression of crime
• Apprehension of offenders
• Conduct search and seizure
• Investigation of crime
• Protection of lives and properties

ORIGIN OF THE WORD POLICE

• POLITEIA- Greek word which means government of the city
• POLITIA- Roman word which means condition of the state or government
• POLICE- French word which was later adopted by the English Language which means law
enforcer

What is Organization?
• It is a group of person working together for a common goal and objectives.
• It is a form of human association for the attainment of goal or objectives
• Is a process of identifying and grouping the work to be performed, defining and delegating
responsibility and authority, establishing relationships for the purpose of enabling people work
effectively

What is police organization?

• It is a group of trained personnel in the field of public safety administration engaged in the
achievement of goals and objectives that promotes the maintenance of peace and order,
protection of life and property, enforcement of laws and prevention of crimes.
• It is a number of police units systematically arranged for some purpose or objectives.

What is law enforcement agency?

• It pertains to organization responsible for enforcing the laws.
• It includes other agencies under the executive branch of the government in charge with the
execution or enforcement of laws.

What is administration?
 • It is an organizational process concerned with the implementation of objectives and plans and
internal operating efficiency.
• It is the determination of objectives and major policies of an organization.

What is police organization?

• It is a group of trained personnel in the field of public safety administration engaged in the
achievement of goals and objectives that promotes the maintenance of peace and order,
protection of life and property, enforcement of laws and prevention of crimes.
• It is a number of police units systematically arranged for some purpose or objectives.

What is law enforcement agency?

• It pertains to organization responsible for enforcing the laws.
• It includes other agencies under the executive branch of the government in charge with the
execution or enforcement of laws.

What is administration?
• It is an organizational process concerned with the implementation of objectives and plans and
internal operating efficiency.
• It is the determination of objectives and major policies of an organization.

What is police/law enforcement administration?

• The process involved in ensuring strict compliance, proper obedience of laws and related
statutes.
• Focuses on the policing process or how law enforcement agencies are organized and managed
in order to achieve the goals of law enforcement most effectively, efficiently and productively.

WHAT ARE THE MANAGEMENT OR ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS?

1. PLANNING- the determination in advance of how the objectives of the organization will be attained.
-the process of selecting goals and determining how to achieve those goals.
2. ORGANIZING- involves the determination and allocation of the men and women as well as the
resource of an organization to achieve pre-determined goals or objectives of the organization.
3. DIRECTING- It involves the overseeing and supervising of human resources and the various activities
in an organization to achieve thru cooperative efforts the pre-determined goals and objectives of
organization.
4. CONTROLLING- it involves the checking or evaluation and measurement of work performance and
comparing it with planned goals and objectives of the organization, and making the necessary corrective
actions so that work is accomplished as planned.
5. STAFFING- the task of providing competent men to do the job and choosing the right men for the
right job.
- it involves good selection and processing of reliable and well-trained personnel.
-the act of placing personnel to the positions in the organizational structure considering their
qualification
STAFFING ACTIVITIES
1. Recruitment- it refers to the set of activities and processes used to legally obtain a sufficient
number of right people for specific positions.
2. Selection- is the process of choosing from among the candidates the most suitable person for
the current position or for future position.
3. Appraisal- it is the process of measuring performance.

4. Training- the act of improving the ability required in the current job.

5. Development- is the act of improving the ability required in the future job.

6. REPORTING- the making of detailed account of activities, work progress, investigations and unusual in
order to keep everyone informed of what is going on.

7. Budgeting- the forecasting in detail of the results of an officially recognized program of operations
based on the highest reasonable expectations of operating efficiency.

LESSON 2

ELEMENTS OF POLICE ORGANIZATION/PRINCIPLE IN POLICE MANAGEMENT

1.UNITY OF COMMAND- there should only be ONE MAN commanding the unit to ensure
uniformity in the execution of orders.
2. SPAN OF CONTROL- the maximum number of subordinates that a superior can effectively
supervise.
3. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY- conferring of certain specified authority by a superior to
subordinate.
4. SCALAR PRINCIPLE- a vertical hierarchy of organization is required. The unbroken chain of
command from top to bottom must be observed.
5. UNITY OF OBJECTIVES- the members of the police organization must be motivated by a
common thing in accomplishing a common mission.
6. LINE AND STAFF PRINCIPLE- various functions are arranged into a workable pattern. This
principle states that operational units are responsible for the direct accomplishment of
objectives, while the administrative units are responsible for support or advisory functions to
facilitate the capacity of the operational units.
7. COMMAND RESPONSIBILITY- dictates that immediate commanders shall be responsible for
the effective supervision and control of their personnel and unit.
8. SPECIALIZATION- the assignment of particular personnel to particular tasks which are highly
technical an require special skills and training.

FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPT OF POLICE SERVICE

1. Old Concept
 Under this Concept, the public look at policemen to be more effective if they conduct
numerous arrests and put behind bars what they have arrested.
2. Modern Concept
Under this Concept, the public look at policeman as more effective in the absence of
crime.

FUNDAMENTAL THEORY OF POLICE SERVICE

1. Continental Theory
Under this theory, policemen are considered as servants of higher authorities and the
people have little or no share at all in their duties, nor have any direct connection with them.
2. Home Rule Theory
Under this theory policemen are considered as servants of the community, who depend
on their effectiveness in performing their functions.

UNITS OF POLICE ORGANIZATION

1. FUNCTIONAL UNITS
1.1 Bureau is the largest organic functional unit within a large department;
1.2. Division is a primary subdivision of a bureau;
1.3. Section is a unit within a division that is necessary for specialization; and
1.4. Unit is the functional group within a section. It is the smallest functional group
within an organization.
2. LINE UNITS
The Line units of a police organization refer to the personnel who directly
interact with the public.
3. GEOGRAPHICAL/ TERRITORIAL UNITS

• Post is the fixed point or location to which an officer is assigned for duty;
• Route is a line of streets designated for patrol purposes. It is also known as Line Beat;
• Beat is an area assigned for patrol purposes, whether by foot or by vehicle;
• District is a geographical subdivision of a city for patrol purposes, usually within its own
station; and
• Area is a territorial division of a large city each compromised of designated districts.

TYPES OF POLICE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

a. Line Type Police Organization

It is a straight line organization which is often called the individual, military, or
departmental type of organization. It is the simplest and clearest form of police
organization.
 b. Line and Staff Police Organization
It combines line units and staff (support) units so that services of personnel performing
special functions can be provided to police officers performing line functions.
c. Functional Type
It is where the personnel have to serve several heads.

LESSON 3
HISTORY OF POLICING

ANGLO-SAXON PERIOD IN ENGLAND

A. Thanes Policing System- King Alfred the Great introduced a type of internal police force
whereby landowners (known as “Thanes”) throughout his kingdom were responsible to police
their own territory. As such, the landowners are empowered to arrest offenders and deliver
them to the King. They were also empowered to settle civil litigations.
B. Frankpledge Policing System- was carried out under a system called frankpledge or mutual
pledge whereby every male over 12 years old joined nine of his neighbors to form tythingmen.
 Said tythingmen performed police works. Anyone who failed to join and perform this duty was
severely fined.
C. Tun Policing System – required all male residents to guard the town to preserve peace and
order, protect the life and property of the people, and suppress other factors affecting peace
and order.
Tun was the forerunner of the word “town”
D. Hue and Cry Policing System- was carried out by a victim of a crime to shout for help at the
middle of the community. Once heard by male residents, they automatically assemble to
apprehend the perpetrator.
E. Royal Judge- conducts criminal investigation and gives appropriate punishment for the crime
committed.
F. Trial by Ordeal- requires a suspect to put his hand over boiling water or is required to perform
any other act which may hurt him. If he was hurt, the society considered him guilty. This was in
accordance with the belief by people before that God will protect the innocent one from being
hurt.

NORMAN PERIOD OF POLICING IN ENGLAND

A. Shire-Reeve System- was observed during the time when King William Norman became the
ruler of England. King Norman divided the kingdom into 55 military districts known as Shire-
Reeves where Shire was used to refer to a district and Reeve was used to refer to the ruler of
that district. Said ruler made laws, rendered judgment, and imposed penalties.
B. Court of the Tourn- settles a range of cases, more often dealing with petty offenses and civil
matters. From the Court, 12 tythingmen were selected to hear cases of serious in nature.
C. Court Leet – handles legal matters in some, but all, communities, the Normans established the
“Court Leet,” which looked after matters of purely local interest and petty village nuisances. The
head of the Court Leet was the “Comes Stable,” which means “Master of the House”. The
Comes Stable was also appointed by the King to be responsible in keeping peace and order in a
specific area. This appointee was, however under the responsibility of local officials who could
petition to remove him if he did not perform his job properly. After a period of time, “Comes
Stable” became “Constable” which is used today to refer to members of the police force.
D. Leges Henry – was passed during the time of King Henry I and its features together with
comparison with the Philippine policing system at present, were the following:
 The law violations were classified as offenses against the King
 The policemen were considered as public officials
 The policemen and citizens were given the power to conduct arrest
E. Keepers of Peace – was a proclamation issued by King Richard of England in 1195 requiring the
appointment of knights to maintain peace and order at the place where the king is residing. The
knights were posted on bridges and gates to check the people entering and leaving the town or
cities.
F. Magna Carta (Great Charter) – was sealed by King John of England on June 15, 1215. This
became a law upon the demand of the Knights of the Round Table and had the following
declarations:
 No freemen shall be taken or imprisoned, disposed, outlawed, or bowed except by legal
judgment of his peers;
 No person should be tried for murder unless there is a proof of the body of the victim
 There should be national and local governments as well as the national and local
legislations.
Significant development during the Westminster Period in England
During Westminster period in England, the following policing systems were practiced:
1. Statute of Winchester (1285-1500) – was enacted introducing the system of Watch and Ward.
2. Statute of 1295 – introduced the closure of gates of London. This started the observation of
curfew hours.
3. Justice of Peace – was the position given to respectable citizens. These persons were given the
right to conduct arrest and imprison offenders.
4. Star Chamber of Court – was established as a special court to try offenders against the State. It
later on, however, became a both a court of law to determine civil rights and a court of revenue
to enrich treasury.

Significant developments during the Modern Period in England?

During the Modern Period in England, the following policing systems were practiced:
1. King Charles II (1633) - passed a law that provided for the employment of Night Watchmen or
Bellmen to be on duty from sunset to sunrise. Night Watchmen or Bellmen were known as
Rattle watch because they carried rattles while on duty to inform the public of their watchful
presence.

2. Henry Fielding (1748) – became the chief magistrate at Bow Street in London. He organized a
group of men known as Bow Street Runners ( thief catchers ) He later formed the Bow Street
Horse Patrol whose duty was to patrol the main roads thereby securing travelers from highway
bandits.

3. William Pitt (1785); William Pitt presented a bill in the British Parliament calling for the creation
of a police force in London. This proposal met with instant opposition. Pitt argued that this new
force would be responsible for the apprehension of criminals ang crime prevention that would
formal continuation of the mandate of the Bow Street Runners. After considerable opposition
to proposed police force or London and charges that it would be used to strengthen the very
centralist authoritarian government, William Pitt’s bill was withdrawn.

4. Sir Robert Peel (1829) Sir Robert Peel introduced the Metropolitan which was passed by the
Parliament of England. The enactment pf said law led to the creation of Metropolitan Police
Force of London, which was viewed as the first world’s first organized uniformed police force.
This force was later on named as the Scotland Yard.
Being the originator and the first head of such police organization, Sir Robert Peel has
earned the title “ Father of Modern Policing System.” ( University of Bagiuo and Tad-
awan,2009;http//www.slideshare.net/domskie/polce-organization-and-administration)
The important plan of Sir Rober Peel was the separation of policing and judiciary. He
believed that the authority of the police shall be only up to the prosecution of crimes. The trial
of crimes must be to the hands of another agency of the government which is the judiciary.
Take Note: The said Plan of Sir Robert Peel was adopted at present in the Philippines.
The criminal justice system of the Philippines is composed of the Law enforcement, the
Prosecution , the Court, the Correction, and the Community. These pillars are separate and
distinct from each other but they are helping one another in the administration of justice.
 The following are the nine (9) Principles of Sir Robert Peel for his police force comparing
it with the Phillipine policing system at present.

 To prevent crimes and disorders, as an alternative to their repression by military

force and by severity of legal punishment;
Take Note: By the express provision of the in the Philippines at present, the
Philippine National Police adopted this principle, The Department of Interior
and Local Government, where the Philippines National Police Belongs, shall be
relieved by primary responsibility on matters involving the suppression of
insurgency and other serious threats to national security. However, the
Philippine National Police shall, through information gathering and performance
of its ordinary police functions, support and Armed Forces of the Philippines on
matters involving suppression of insurgency, except in cases where the
President shall call on the PNP to support AFP in combat operations. ( Sec 3 of
RA 8551)

 To recognize always that the power of the members of police to fulfill their
function and duties is dependent on public approval of their existence ,actions
and behavior, and on their ability to secure and maintain public respect;
 To recognize always that to secure and maintain the respect and approval of the
public means also the securing of the willing cooperation of the public in the
task of securing observance of laws;
 To recognize always that the extent to which force the necessity of the use of
physical force and compulsion for achieving police objectives;
 To seek and preserve public favor, not by pandering to public opinion ,but y
constantly demonstrating absolutely impartial service to law, in complete
independence of policy and without regard to the justice or injustices of the
substance of individual laws; by readily offering individual service and friendship
to all members of the public without regard to their wealth or social standing;by
readily exercising courtesy and friendly good humor; and by readily offering
sacrifice in protecting and preserving life;
 To maintain all the times a relationship with the public that gives reality to the
historic tradition that the police are the public and that the public are the police;
the police being only members of the public who are paid to give fulltime
attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen,in the interests of
community welfare and existence;
 To use physical force only when the persuasion, advice and warning is found to
be insufficient to obtain public cooperation to an extent necessary on any
particular occasion for achieving police objective;
 To recognize always the need for strict adherence to police executive
functions, and to refrain from even seeming to usurp the powers of the judiciary
or avenging individuals or the state and authoritatively judging guilt and
punishing the guilt
 To recognize always that the test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and
disorder, and not the visible of police action in dealing with them.

HISTORY OF POLICING (PHILIPPINE SETTING)

5. What are the significant developments in Philippine setting during the Spanish occupation?
The significant developments in Philippine setting during the Spanish time are the
following:
a. Carabineros de Seguridad Publico (1712)
The Carabineros de Seguridad Publico was organized for the purpose of carrying
out the regulations of the State. In 1781, it was given the special commission as
custodian of the tobacco monopoly.
It was later known as Cuerpo De Carabineros De Seguridad Publica by virtue of
Royal Decree of December 20, 1842. Its duties became police – like and more
general which included the prosecution of law breakers, maintenance of peace and
order, and execution of laws.
It was subsequently given limited power to discharge duties as port, harbor, and
river police.
b. Guardilleros (1836); and
The Guardilleros was a body of rural police organization established by Royal
Decree of January 28, 1836. The Decree provided that 5% of the able –bodied male
inhabitants of each province were to be enlisted in the police organization for three
(3) year’s tour of duty.
c. Guardia Civil (1852)
The Guardia Civil was created by a royal decree issued by the Crown on
February 12, 1852, to partially relieve the Spanish Peninsula Troops of their work in
policing towns. They were under the Governor or Alcalde and they had bright and
showy uniform, distinctively prominent insignia, and rigidly maintained military
being.
6. What are the significant developments in Philippine setting during the American occupation up
to present?
The significant developments in Philippine setting during the American occupation up to
present are the following:
a. Insular Police Force (1890);
The Insular Police Force was established on November 30, 1890 during the
Philippine- American War (1898-1901) upon recommendation of the Philippine
Commission to the Secretary of War.
b. Insular Constabulary (1901);
The Insular Constabulary created on July 18, 1901 by virtue of Act 175. This law
was entitled “An Act Providing for the Organization and Government of an Insular
Constabulary and for the Inspection of Municipal Police”.
c. Manila Police Department (1901)
The Manila Police Department was organized on July 31, 1901 by virtue of Act
183. The first Chief of Police was Capt. George Curry, a United States army officer
appointed by the Taft Commission on August 7, 1901. Capt. Columbus Piatt, on the
other hand, was the last American Chief of Police of Manila Police Department.
 When the Manila Police department was taken over by Filipinos, the first
Filipino to head it was Col. Antonio Torres.
d. Philippine Constabulary (1901)
The Philippine Constabulary changed the Insular Constabulary by virtue of Act
255. Brigade- General Henry Tureman Allen, an 1882 graduate of the United States
Military Academy, was the first chief of Philippine Constabulary. The first enlisted
personnel strength on December 15, 1901 under Brigade- General Allen was 2,500
in number. They were always outnumbered but won many victories where they are
inspired by the creed: “To be outnumbered, always; to be outfought, never. “aside
from maintenance a peace and order, the members of Philippine Constabulary
during that time focused on the suppression of rebellion.
In 1902, Philippine Constabulary Chief Allen introduced the Mounted Constables
as a part of schemes against insurgents where horses from china were used to
launch the first polo sports in Manila. It became a popular entertainment during
that period, and paved the way for the founding of the Polo Club in 1909. It was also
that time when Manila was known the “Pearl of the Orient,” with the Philippine
Constabulary playing a significant role in reducing crime rate; thus turning Manila
into a popular tourist destination.
When World War 1 broke out, most high ranking officers of the United States
Army were transferred to France so Filipino soldiers were given the opportunity to
run the Philippine Constabulary. Hence, in December 1917, a person named
Brigadier General Rafael Crame was appointed as the first Filipino to head the
Philippine Constabulary. He served with competence for PC Chief for 10 years.

e. Revised Administrative Code (1917)

It is stated that the PC is a national police institution for preserving peace, keeping
order, and enforcing the law.

f. Philippine Constitution (1935)

It provided that the government shall organize and maintain a national police force to
preserve public order and enforce the law.

g. Kempeitai (1942)

On January 2, 1942 in the advent of World War II, the first element of Japanese Imperial
Army called Kempeitai entered Manila. A member of the corps was called kempei.

Kempeitai literally meant “Military Police Corps” it was organized and existed from 1881 to 1945
to discharge not public service but to perform functions of the military police for the Imperial Japanese
Navy under the direction of the Admiralty Minister.

h. Republic Act 157 (1947)

The National Bureau of Investigation was established on June 19, 1947 by virtue of R.A.
157.
 i. Republic Act 4864 (1966)

Republic Act 4864 otherwisw known as the “Police Act of 1966” was enacted on August
8, 1966. It created a Police Commission under the Office of the President of the Philippines.

j. R.A. 6040 (1969)

R.A. 6040 amended certain sections of R.A. 2260 known as the “Civil Service Act of
1969”

It empowered the Police Commission to give appropriate examinations for officers and
all members of police forces with the assistance of the Civil Service Commission. This was
perhaps the first move to professionalize the police force.

k. Presidential Decree 765 (1975)

It was enacted on August 8, 1975. It established and constituted the Integrated National
Police which shall be composed of the PC as the nucleus and the Integrated Police Forces (Fire and Jail
Departments) as components.

l. Presidential Decree 1184 (1977)

It is known as “The Integrated National Police Personnel Professionalization Act of

1977”. It was enacted on August 26, 1977. The following feature of the this law are:

1. The highest rank in the police force was given the rank of Police Brigadier General and the
lowest rank was patrolman.

2. There shall be at least one police man for every 1000 inhabitants.

3. The educational qualification of a person to enter the police force is at least high school
graduate to be appointed to the lowest rank but the personnel to be appointed for assignment to city
stations must have finished at least second year college;

4. Women may be appointed into the police service for assignment in youth aid or juvenile
control units, in custodial service as jail matrons, in training and administrative duties, and in certain
police operations where the activities of policewoman are necessary or are more effective like handling
investigation, search and arrest of female or youth offenders.

5. Retirement from the service of police, including jail custodial and fire personnel of the INP
shall be automatic and compulsory upon reaching 60 years for those in the ranks of Police/Fire
Lieutenant and higher; for those in the ranks of patrolman/fireman and up to Police/Fire Sergeant-55
years unless the continuance in the service of the member of the INP is required for the public good and
interest as recommended by the Director General of the INP thru the Secretary of the National Defense
and approved by the President.

m. Philippine Constitution (1987)

 The 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that the State shall establish and maintain
police force which shall be “national in scope and civilian in character” to be administered and
controlled by the National Police Commission.

National in scope means that the PNP is under the National Government. Hence, its member
will be considered national government employees and shall draw their salaries therefrom; the different
processes starting from recruitment until termination of PNP members are governed by rules laid down
by the national government; and its members may be assigned to different parts of the Philippines when
needed, especially in the exercise of the Calling-Out Power of the President.

Civilian in Character means that the PNP members are not governed by military rules. The PNP is
in charged of internal security and it is the AFP that is in charged of external security.

n. Republic Act 6975 (1990)

It was approved on December 13, 1990 by the President of Corazon Aquino. It was
recognized later as the “DILG Act of 1990”. This established the Philippine National Police.

m. Republic Act 8551 (1998)

The “PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998”. It amended the provisions of R.A.
6975 concerning the PNP, which had the main purpose of reforming and professionalizing the PNP.

n. Republic Act 9263 (2004)

The BFP and BJMP Professionalization Act of 2004. It revised some provisions of R.A.
6975 especially those pertaining to BFP and BJMP.

o. Republic Act 9708 (2009)

An act extending for five years the reglementary period for complying with the
minimum educational qualification for appointment to the PNP adjusting the promotion system thereof.
It revised some provisions of R.A. 6975 and Republic Act 8551 and for other purposes.

IMPORTANT PERSONALITIES IN THE EVOLUTION OF PHILIPPINE POLICING

Brig.Gen. Rafael Crame - the first Filipino Chief of the Philippine Constabulary in 1917.

Col. Antonio Torres - the first Filipino Chief of Police of the Manila Police Department in 1935.

Col. Lambert Javalera - the first chief of police of the Manila Police Department after the Philippine Independence
from the United States of America in 1946

Dir.Gen. Cesar Nazareno - the first chief of the Philippine National Police.
Important dates in the history of modern Philippine Policing

 1901 - ACT no. 175 of the Philippine Commission established the Philippine constabulary on august 8,
1901.
  1905 - the Philippine constabulary school was established at the Sta.Lucia barracks in Intramuros on
February 17, 1905.
 1908 - the Philippine constabulary school was transferred to Baguio City.
 1916 - the Philippine constabulary school was renamed academy for officers of the Philippine
constabulary.
 1917 - on December 17, 1917, Brigadier General Rafael Crame from Rizal Province, became the first
Filipino chief of the Philippine constabulary.
 1926 - the academy for officers of the Philippine constabulary was renamed Philippine Constabulary
Academy.
 1936 - the Philippine Constabulary Academy became the present day Philippine Military Academy.
 1938 - The Philippine Constabulary became the existing and organized National Police Force of the
country pursuant to Commonwealth Act No. 343 dated June 23, 1938 and EO no. 389 dated December
23, 1950. This decree integrated local police forces into the Philippines constabulary operational and
organizational set up.
 1966 - congress enacted RA No. 4864, the Police Act of 1966. This law also created the Police Commission
(POLCOM).
 1972 - The POLCOM was reorganized as the National Police Commission.
 1975 - PD 765 was enacted. This law is called the Police Integration Law of 1975. The Integrated National
Police was established with the Philippine Constabulary as nucleus under the Department of National
Defense. The NAPOLCOM, originally under the office of the President was transferred to the Ministry of
National Defense.
 1985 - The National Police Commission was returned to the office of the President pursuant to E.O 1040.
 1989 - Executive order 379 placed the Integrated National Police directly under the command, supervision
and control of the President. This order vested the NAPOLCOM with the powers of administrative control
and supervision over the Integrated National Police.
 1990 - RA 6975 was passed on December 13, 1990 establishing the Philippine National Police under a
reorganized Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). A new National Police Commission
was created under the DILG.
 1998 - congress passed into law RA No. 8551 on February 25, 1998, otherwise known as the Philippine
National Police Reform and reorganization Act of 1998. This act strengthened and expanded
NAPOLCOM,s authority over the PNP to include administration of police entrance examination and
conduct pre-charge investigation against police anomalies and irregularities and summary dismissal of
erring police members.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PHILIPPINE POLICING SYSTEM

The institution of police in the Philippines formally started during the Spanish period. The establishment of the
police force was not entirely intended for crime prevention nor peacekeeping. Rather, it was created as an
extension of the colonial military establishment.
Ancient Roots
The forerunner of the contemporary police system was the practice of barangay chieftains to select able-bodied
young men to protect their barangay during the night and were not required to work in the fields during daytime.
Among the duties of those selected were to protect the properties of the people in the barangay and protect their
crops and livestock from wild animals.

Spanish Period

Carabineros de Seguridad Publica – organized in 1712 for the purpose of carrying the regulations of the
Department of State; this was armed and considered as the mounted police; years after, this kind of police
organization discharged the duties of a port, harbor and river police.
Guardrilleros/Cuardillo – this was a body of rural police by the Royal Decree of 18 January 1836, this decree
provided that 5% of the able-bodied male inhabitants of each province were to be enlisted in this police
organization for three years
Guardia Civil – this was created by a Royal Decree issued by the Crown on 12 February 1852 to partially relieve the
Spanish Peninsular troops of their work in policing towns, it consisted of a body of Filipino policemen organized
originally in each of the provincial capitals of the central provinces of Luzon under the Alcalde Mayor

American Period
The Americans established the United States Philippine Commission headed by General Howard Taft as its first
governor-general. On January 9, 1901, the Metropolitan Police Force of Manila was organized pursuant to Act No
70 of the Taft Commission. This has become the basis for the celebration of the anniversary of the Manila’s Finest
every January 9th.

ACT NO 175 – entitled “An Act Providing for the Organization and Government of an Insular Constabulary”,enacted
on July 18, 1901.

Henry T. Allen - Captain of the 6th US cavalry, a graduate of West Point class 1882. Father of the Philippine
Constabulary.The first chief of the Philippine Constabulary in 1901.

ACT NO 183 - created the Manila Police Department, enacted on July 31, 1901.

CAPT GEORGE CURRY - the first chief of police of the Manila Police Department in 1901.

Act No 255 – the act that renamed the Insular Constabulary into Philippine Constabulary, enacted on October 3,
1901

Executive Order 389 – ordered that the Philippine Constabulary be one of the four services of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines, enacted on December 23, 1940.

Post-American Period

RA 4864 – otherwise known as the Police Professionalization Act of 1966, enacted on September 8, 1966; created
the Police Commission (POLCOM) as a supervisory agency to oversee the training and professionalization of the
local police forces under the Office of the President; later POLCOM was renamed into National Police Commission
(NAPOLCOM).

Martial Law Period

PD 765 – otherwise known as the Integration Act of 1975,enacted on August 8, 1975; established the Integrated
National Police (INP) composed of the Philippine Constabulary (PC) as the nucleus and the integrated local police
forces as components, under the Ministry of National Defense - transferred the NAPOLCOM from the Office of the
President to the Ministry of National Defense

Post Martial Law Regime

Executive Order No 1012 – transferred to the city and municipal government the operational supervision and
direction over all INP units assigned within their locality; issued on July 10, 1985

Executive Order No 1040 – transferred the administrative control and supervision of the INP from the Ministry of
National Defense to the National Police Commission

RA 6975 – otherwise known as the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, enacted on
December 13,1990; reorganized the DILG and established the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection,
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the Philippine Public Safety College.
RA 8551 – otherwise known as the Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998, enacted on
February 25, 1998; this law amended certain provisions of RA 6975.

RA 9708 - law amending the provisions of RA 6975 and RA 8551 on the minimum educational qualification for
appointment to the PNP and adjusting the promotion system; approved on 12 August 2009.
- An Act extending for five (5) years the reglementary period for complying with the minimum educational
qualification for appointment to the PNP and adjusting the promotion system thereof, amending for the purpose
pertinent provisions of RA 6975 and RA 8551 and for other purposes