Criminologist twits bill that seeks lower standards for officers

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

ORGANIZED criminologists have decried Sen. Grace Poe’s bill that, if approved, would allow high school graduates to become police officers.

Gerry Caño, dean of the College of Criminology of the Cagayan de Oro College-Phinma (COC) and president of the Professional Criminologist Association of the Philippines, called Poe’s Senate Bill 2363, otherwie known as the PNP Modernization Bill, a “backward” bill that would set back the professionalization of the police force in the country.

“Ti-aw mo anang graduate sa K-to-12 mahimo nang himo-ong pulis? Unsa may hinanawan ana nila sa police investigation ug sa legal nga aspect,” Caño rhetorically asked.

Caño said his group would submit a position paper on the bill to the Commission on Higher Education, the Senate, and the Lower House’s Committee on Public Order and Safety, among others.

The criminologist also encouraged peace and order stakeholders to review SB 2363 before this becomes a law.

Caño also said government should only accept police applicants who finished any four-year courses.

“Kanang pag-hire og pulis nga high school graduate, niadto pa kanang 1966. Pero ubos sa  Republic Act 8551 of 1992, ubos sa PNP Law, wala na kanang high school  graduate nga himo-ong police kay ang qualification, graduate na sa four-year course,” Caño said. (nitz arancon)