Napolcom issues guidelines on waivers for PNP applicants

MANILA, Philippines - The National Police Commission (Napolcom) yesterday issued the guidelines on the grant of waivers for applicants to the Philippine National Police (PNP) who do not meet the weight, height and age requirements.

Napolcom vice chairman Eduardo Escueta said Memorandum Circular 2013-004 was issued after it was observed that recruitment quotas were not filled up for lack of qualified applicants.

“In order to have a wider base of applicants whose special qualifications or skills are useful to or needed by the PNP, applicants who possess exemplary aptitude but do not meet the required age, height or weight should be given an opportunity to apply for waiver prior to the official start of or during the recruitment program,” he said.

Escueta said a waiver of the age requirement could be granted provided the applicant is not younger than 20 years old or older than 35.

A waiver of the height requirement may be granted to male applicants who are at least 1.57 meters and to female applicants at least 1.52 meters tall.

Escueta said the minimum height requirement for applicants who belong to indigenous groups, duly certified by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos or the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, is 1.52 meters for male applicants and 1.45 meters for female applicants.

An applicant who is granted a weight waiver shall be given reasonable time, but not exceeding six months, within which to comply with the PNP’s requirement.

Escueta, however, noted that applicants who do not meet the requirements could apply for waivers only when the number of qualified applicants falls below the quota, which is determined at the end of the recruitment process.

He also reminded PNP applicants that the grant of waivers is not an assurance of getting an appointment into the police service.

“Only applicants who possess the appropriate eligibility and meet the general qualifications as provided under Section 14 of Republic Act 8551 are qualified to apply for waivers,” he added.

He said applicants for waivers must possess exemplary aptitude, such as special skills in evidence gathering and safekeeping, cyber crime investigation, detection and prevention, crime scene investigation, martial arts, marksmanship and similar skills; special talents in the field of sports, music or arts and culture; extensive experience or training in forensic science and other legal, medical and technical services; outstanding academic records and extracurricular activities; good family background in law enforcement or socio-civic activities; recognized social standing in the community, and awards and commendations.

All applications for waivers, except for height for members of indigenous groups, shall be evaluated by the PNP screening committee and endorsed by the PNP chief to the Napolcom, through the office of the vice chairman and executive officer, for proper disposition.

The Napolcom regional director may grant height waiver for members of indigenous groups with NCMF and NCIP certification under their area of jurisdiction.

Civilian employees

As this developed, President Aquino announced his approval of a P9-billion Operational Transformational Plan of the PNP that will hire more civilian personnel in place of policemen doing administrative work. – With Delon Porcalla, Cecille Suerte Felipe