How does a police academy make sure those who manage to enter its portals for years of rigorous training will turn out to be honest and upright after they graduate?
For the Philippine National Police Academy, or PNPA, it is by strictly enforcing an Honor Code that implores cadets not to lie, cheat or steal and tolerate those who commit such offenses.
The Philippine Military Academy has a similar Honor Code that governs the conduct of those who pass its stringent requirements to be accepted as cadets for four years.
Recent news about the PNPA hit newspaper headlines because of its strict observance of the Honor Code.
One news report said two cadets of the PNPA were dismissed recently because they were caught cheating during an examination.
According to PNPA director Maj. Gen. Eric Noble, the honor committee and cadet disciplinary board meted out the stiffest penalty of dismissal on the two second-class cadets.
“We stand firm in our commitment to maintain an environment of academic excellence and integrity,” Noble said.
The dismissal of the cadets, he emphasized, should serve as a warning to other cadets the PNPA would not condone academic dishonesty.
“We strive to nurture a culture where honesty, accountability and ethical values thrive, enabling our cadets to become future leaders of impeccable character,” he pointed out.
By emphasizing the importance of academic integrity and condemning any form of dishonesty, the police academy aims to train leaders who uphold the highest standards of excellence in service to the country.
Also recently, two PNPA cadets were also dismissed for violating the Honor Code.
The academy took decisive action against a second-class cadet for lying and a third-class cadet for stealing.
The honor committee slapped the cadets with the stiffest penalty of expulsion after examining all relevant pieces of evidence.
“This stern response reinforces the institution’s commitment to uphold the honor code and maintain the integrity of its cadetship,” Noble said.
“While the dismissal is undoubtedly a severe consequence, it underscores the academy’s unshakable stance against any transgression that compromises the principles it stands for,” he stressed.
In fact, since January this year, 11 cadets have been dismissed from the academy for grave offenses and academic deficiencies.
The stern disciplinary action against erring cadets is the same tack being taken by the PNP leadership against scalawag cops.
While we’re told the misfits and rogues in the police force are only a handful—a mere one percent of the nearly 230,000-strong organization—weeding them out is of paramount importance because they taint the image of the entire institution whose motto, after all, is “to serve and protect.”