NAPOLCOM inks deal with IBP, PNP to boost legal education among cops

The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) on Monday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strengthen legal education among police officers.

The MOA was signed by NAPOLCOM chief, commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan, IBP national president Atty. Allan Panolong, and PNP acting chief Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

In a statement, the NAPOLCOM said the deal is a “groundbreaking move to amplify legal education within the police service.”

The MOA establishes a “unified framework to improve police legal competence, promote rights-based policing, and reinforce protection for law practitioners.”

It is aimed at strengthening legal education initiatives, with a focus on proper arrest procedures, warrantless arrest limitations, Miranda Rights implementation, evidence handling, chain of custody, lawful interrogation practices, and effective documentation for case integrity.

The MOA seeks to promote rights-based, professional, and accountable policing for the community.

Calinisan expressed his support for the NAPOLCOM’s partnership with the IBP and PNP.

“Today is about institutions, today is about systems. We know what the problem is, so we need to solve it by bringing in education. Education is a very powerful tool. Here we are, knowing what the law is, we need to make sure that our law enforcers currently are all street-ready,” Calinisan said.

He underscored the need for all policemen to have a mastery of the laws that they are enforcing.

“Alam po natin ang sigaw ng ordinaryong mamamayan, alam natin ang kapakanan ng ordinaryong policeman, alam natin ang kapasidad ng isang abogado. Kung lahat po tayo ay nagtutulungan, ang NAPOLCOM, ang PNP, at ang IBP, ang mga abogado ng Pilipinas, napakaganda po ng hinaharap ng ating bansa,” Calinisan added.

(We know the pleas of ordinary citizens, we know the welfare of ordinary policemen, we know the capacity of a lawyer. If we all work together, the NAPOLCOM, the PNP, and the IBP, the country’s lawyers, then our country’s future is bright.)

Panolong, for his part, committed to helping further the legal education of PNP personnel to help them better carry out their duties as law enforcers.

“The IBP commits to stand with you, not as critics from afar but as colleagues in service so that every lawful action you take is effective, defensible, and just. Together, let us prove that professionalism and compassion can co-exist,” the IBP national president said.

In a statement, Nartatez said the signing of the MOA is a testament to their shared vision and commitment to improve the capabilities of PNP personnel.

“We look forward on opportunities this collaboration will bring, and we are confident that our combined efforts will lead to the success of this endeavor,” the PNP chief added. — JMA, GMA Integrated News