The National Police Commission has greenlighted the creation of a centralized national police clearance system to help the new administration of President Rodrigo Duterte in its fight against criminality.
The commission en banc issued Resolution No. 2016-393, dated June 17, 2016, approving the implementation of a secure centralized system which provides for a comprehensive technology-based criminal record check.
In a statement, Commission Chairman and Executive Officer Rogelio Casurao said a study conducted by the National Police showed that the current setup concerning police clearance is not responsive to the need of both the police and the community in terms of safety and security by way of preventing and solving crime.
He added the present setup is more inclined to generate revenues because the fees collected for such purpose go to the coffers of local government units and service providers.
Casurao explains that the new clearance system is not intended to preclude individuals with police records or pending criminal cases from employment or put them in a bad light. A police clearance only contains the necessary information which may be needed by a person or entity as additional reference in the exercise of prerogative or discretion.
“The shift from locally based to a national system would significantly improve the process for criminal record checks across jurisdictions wherein an applicant’s criminal history and biometrics are verified from databases. The system would also assist investigators in case build-up and consequently increase crime solution efficiency,” Casurao said.
Casurao noted that since this robust system is highly computerized, regularly updated, and therefore more credible, agencies/entities from both the government and private sectors will be highly encouraged to require national police clearance for certain transactions, such as employment (OJT, application, promotion, retirement), work placement, civil registry (birth, marriage, adoption, death), immigration (visa application, alien registration, naturalization), financial services (remittance, loan), among others.
“The implementation of the national police clearance system affirms the PNP’s responsiveness and timeliness to be abreast with the current socio-economic developments as well as the fast-changing technology that impact the police organization,” Casurao said.
Last December, the commission also approved the establishment of a modern facility which will serve at the National Police general headquarters in Camp Crame as place for in-depth studies, researches and analysis of crimes in the country.
The Crime Research and Analysis Center (CRAC) is under the supervision and control of the Office of the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM).
The facility also replaced the old research and analysis division facility to maintain high-tech equipment and modernized system used by the National Police in crime prevention such as the electronic police blotter (e-blotter project).
CRAC focus on strengthening the PNP investigation capabilities and analysis of crime trends and modus operandi based on gathered facts and reports.
It will formulate guidelines for collecting, recording, analyzing and reporting of crime data; conduct trainings and seminars on crime research and analysis in coordination with the PNP Training Service; prepare reports on specific crimes based on their geographical aspects which can lead to practical solutions and prevention of intermittent crimes; draft and recommend proposals for strategic planning, investigation and crime solution, and communicate with local government agencies and international agencies on matters pertaining to crime research and analysis; and formulate plans and policies on the deployment of investigators and detectives, and conduct review and evaluation of existing policies for organizational effectiveness.
The e-blotter system facilitates fast, easy and paperless recording of crime information using the computer machine. Through the Internet, other police stations and higher headquarters could access such information for proper coordination and police action.
Apart from National Capital Region, the e-blotter system is fully implemented in Southern Tagalog region and in the police provincial offices of Tarlac, Cebu and Butuan.
