RES GESTAE
New breed, new hope
The Philippine National Police strives to regain the prestige of its name. Its ongoing Integrated Transformation Program (ITP) is a testament to that endeavor.
Police irregularities, alleged or otherwise, drag the PNP down the drain…down…down its rubbles. But with the new campaign (ITP), the PNP is more confident to bring long term and lasting reform in its organization, particularly among its members.
Indeed, should there be anything vital in the reform program, it must be the personnel, the members of the organization. The personnel represent the organization; they may be an individual, a unit, a battalion. And, that makes the reform program more challenging.
The personnel or human resources are the most complex facet of the organization; and it is the first of the many factors that could bring the organization up or down. Yes, only either that directions – up or down, nothing else.
The framers of PNP ITP must have considered that perspective, among other considerations, in targeting the recruitment of 15,000 more policemen in five years time, starting in 2006.
And I contend, this recruitment is more than just off-setting the figures of those who are retiring, resigning from the service, dismissed and dead.
This recruitment is importantly to incorporate new breed of policemen and policewomen in the ranks, not just to learn good (not bad) things from the old ones but serve as catalysts as well for what I said “long term and lasting reform in the organization”.
Well, it may be hard, but this is one of the biggest challenges…a reality facing the PNP recruits.
Yes, this is the challenge being faced by 350 neophyte police officers who took their oath of office Tuesday (July 1) at Camp Martin Teofilo Delgado, Iloilo City. The same challenge awaits those who will be recruited soon to complete the 15,000 quota nationwide.
Difficult? Indeed.
But, no one could help it. Neophyte members are generally considered new breed of police officers. Idealistic. “Unblemished”. Therefore, being new breed implies new hope. They signal the realization of the PNP as among (if not the only one) the best police forces in Asia and the world.
This is our expectation. Because this must be the general rule. And only these recruits may decide if they prefer to belong to the exceptions.