POLICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION WITH POLICE PLANNING

HISTORICAL BASIS OF POLICING

The Early Beginning:

Law Enforcer – originated in Rome during the Roman Empire.

Centurions – Roman soldiers carefully selected by the commander of the city garrison
under the authority of “Ceasar” from the Roman legions, whose man task is to maintain
internal peace and order, to arrest all violators of law and protect the city of Rome.

Almost all nations throughout the world adopted this effective method of
maintaining peace and order in a given community by designating law enforcers, who
they initially called “peace officers”, now commonly known as “police officers”.

 Anglo-Saxon Period of Policing (600-1006 AD)

 With the fall of Rome about 300 AD. and the over-running of Europe by the
Germanic hordes from the east, the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Europe migrated,
first to Normandy. and then to the island of Britain.
 In Britain started the “Hue. and Cry’ as a village law. This was a method of
apprehending the criminal.
 A much later date still using the “Hue method of apprehension, still using all
law abiding citizens as policemen, the law was slowly changed and the
prisoner when caught, was brought before a royal judge
 After a while, citizens were appointed as Constable for one year
 In England at this time was characterized by a highly rural population,
most of it clustered in small villages known as tuns (the origin of the word
town). For purposes of peacekeeping, each tun was subdivided into a number
of ten-family units called tithings. Every able-bodied male from 12 years and
above was required by law to attach himself to a tithing, which was held strictly
accountable for the conduct of all its members. An entire tithing might,
therefore required to make restitution for the act of a single individual within its
rank.
 The tithing man, the elected head of the tithing, must mobilize his group for
pursuit and apprehension of a criminal who had committed an offense. This
process, known as arising the hue and cry, was the beginning of what we call
today as citizen’s arrest. Once the offender was caught, it was the tithing
man’s responsibility to mete out a just punishment. A person against whom a
hue and cry was declared had no right to a trial, but could be killed on the spot
if caught. The task of protecting the entire turn was rotated amount the tithings
within it, and each tithing man was in a very real sense and tun’s chief of police
during his group period of service.
 As the organization became bigger and complex, there gradually emerged
a larger unit known as hundred. Each hundred consisted of ten tithings and
was presided over by a reeve, while the take of maintaining and equipping its
ranks was done by the comes stabuli or constable (horse master). Still a
large enforcement unit appeared known as the shire, which has jurisdiction
over an area equal to a country and place under the authority of a new official
known as the shire-reeve (the predecessor of the modern day and historical
sheriff).
 The watch and ward system which originated in the Anglo-Saxon period,
is the basis for the modern American police system. Initially, the tithing men
were responsible for maintaining the watch and ward. The watch was the
night guard, and the ward was the day guard. With the increase in
population, the shire-reeve was allowed to assign six men in each tun for night

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 watch. Those detailed served without pay. They carried a lantern and a staff,
forerunners of the flashlight and night stick or today’s patrol officer.

 Norman Period of Policing (1066-1225 AD)

 This period saw a revolution in law enforcement ideas and methods. When
Norman William (William the conqueror), King of France invaded and
conquered England, a military regime of conqueror and dictator began. He
changed the concept of crime being committed against the state.
 England was divided into 55 separate military areas and misted lieutenants of
the army were placed in charge of each area These areas were called
“Shires”. The military leader was called a “Rieve” meaning the head-man)
and from “Sheire-Rieve we derived our word Sheriff’. This man had
absolute powers. No one could question his or her actions.
 The king decided that the Shire-Rived should not judge the cases of persons
arrested and decided to select judge to hear the cases. These traveling
judges each given a number of Shires to travel through and hear criminal
cases, were the forerunner of the modem Circuit” Judges still a part of the
judicial system in some portions of the United States.
 At about the year 1215 was the “Grand Jury” created. The “Grand Jury” (a
body of men) was found to make inquisition or to inquire into the facts of a
crime and to eliminate the Anglo-Saxon “trial” by ordeal” system.

 Westminster Period (1285-1700

 Justice of the Peace (about 1361). At this time, a study was made to the work
of the Shire-Rieves or Sheriffs in the counties. This study revealed that the
sheriff was not an efficient law enforcement officer. This caused the formation
of a new county officer, the Justice of the Peace.
 Courts of the Star-Chamber (1487). At this period of time the reigning king
felt the need of special court to try offenders against the state (Treason, false
coinage etc.). He formed a court, which met in a room whose dealing was
formed in the shape of a star (thus the name Star-Chamber”).
 The Merchant Police (1500). It. was at about this time that merchants began
to employ persons to protect their property Banks began to employ guards.
 Night watchmen were hired to watch business establishments and private
detective were employed to locate and identify stolen property.
 The Parochial Police- The people of the cities were divided into religious
areas or parishes and they would bond together and employ their own police to
protect them and their property.
 Military Police. In 1655 England and Wales under Oliver Cromwell, were
divided into 12 military districts as “Provost Marshall” and to act as judges.
The Military personnel under the Provost Marshall had police control over both
military personnel and the civilian population.
 The Bowstreet Runners -In 1748, Henry Fielding founded the Bowstreet
Runners. They conducted foot patrol to business establishments located on
Bow Street, London who were losing so much of their stores stock to thieves
 Henry was replaced by his blind brother John Fielding

 Industrial Revolution
 As the industrial revolution that transform the England from rural to industrial,
thousands of people left the countryside to look for work.
 More people went to towns of Manchester and Birmingham which made these
towns over populated
 Enormous number of people became unemployed and lived with the most a
appalling slum. With no protection of a welfare system, it was a atmosphere
that bred crimes.

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  One of the greatest areas for theft in London was the River Thames. Merchant
ships leaves with expensive cargos constantly loading and unloading to
warehouse and docks
 Riverside worker and organized gangs were responsible for the colossal loses.
A Sea Captain named John Harriot and magistrate Patrick Colquhoun devised
a scheme for policing the river.
 They persuaded the merchant to pay for a marine police force called Thames
River Police which started operating on 1798

 Metropolitan Police Force

 Sir Robert Peel a politician, who became the Home Secretary in 1822,
carefully made a police reform without arousing the public fear of intimidation.
 He believed on Crime Prevention rather than relying on punishment as
deterrence. In 1829, a legislation passed that established the Metropolitan
Police in London.
 The post of Commissioner was first held jointly by Sir Charles Rowan and Sir
Richard Mayne.
 The new police gained the nicknames of “Peelers and Bobbies” .Wore civilian
top hat , blue tail coats, truncheon and a rattle to raise an alarm to call for help.

 US Modern Policing
 New York Police Department- Created in 1844 in New York, USA.
Recognized as the first modern style police department in the U. S. The largest
police force in the world modeled after the Metropolitan Police Service in
London.
 Boston Police Department- The oldest police department in the US. The first
night watch was established in Boston in 1631. Formally founded in May,
1838.
 AUGUST VOLLMER- Recognized as the father of Modern Law
Enforcement for his contributions in the development of the field of criminal
justice in the US. Author of the book, Police Administration which served as
the basic guide of the police organization in US. He was also the Chief of
Berkelley, California

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HISTORY OF POLICING (PHILIPPINE SETTING)

Filipino Police Institutions during the Spanish Times

Organized policing started in 1500s when nightmen or bantayans patrolled the

streets of Manila. The nightmen were under the direction of the alguacil mayor who
provided them with muskets as weapons and alarm bells as their means of
communication

The Carabineros de Seguridad Publica was organized in 1712 for the purpose
of carrying outlaws of the Spanish government. Native Filipinos served up to the rank of
sergeant under the command of Spanish officers. They were with carbines as its name
indicates. It was the earlier version of mounted riflemen in the history of the Philippine
police system.

The Cuadrilleros - this was a body of rural police organized in each town and
established by the Royal Decree of 1796. This act provided that 5% of the able-bodied
male inhabitants of each province were to be enlisted in the police organization for three
years.

In 1836, the Spanish colonial authorities formed the Cuadrillo, a rural police
force, to enforce peace in the countryside. Six years later, its general function was
assumed by the Cuerpo de Carabineros de Seguridad Publica.

By the Royal decree of December 29, 1842, the Carabineros de Seguridad

Publica was re-organized and renamed Cuerpo de Cababineros de Seguridad
Publica (Corps of Carbineer’s for Public Safety). Hence, its duties became police-like
and more general, which were: 1) the prosecution of law breakers and criminals; 2) the
maintenance of peace, order and security; 3) and, the vigilance in the execution of laws
and ordinances of good government.

The Guardia Civil - this was created by a Royal Decree issued by the Crown on
February 12, 1852, to particularly relieve the Spanish Peninsular troops of their work in
policing the towns. These notoriously dreaded Guardia Civil in the provinces were
composed mainly of Filipinos who worked under the jurisdiction of the alcalde or
mayors. They followed a military structure and received semi-military training yet lacked
other dimensions of today’s police service.

During the American Military Regime

The capture of General Emilio Aguinaldo, signaled the start of the American
occupation of the Philippines. Maintaining peace and order, particularly in the
countryside, remained the biggest problem of the Americans. The Americans failed to
subdue the followers of Aguinaldo like Gen. Macario Sakay. Hostilities continued in
Batangas, Mindoro, Cebu, Bohol and Samar. A military solution to the peace and order
problem was ruled, hence, the birth of the Philippine Constabulary.

The Insular Force: The Americans are credited for creating the Philippine
Constabulary, the principal instrument of the civil authorities for the maintenance of
peace and order. The PC began as a small unit—the Insular Force in 1901. It was set
up by virtue of Organic Act No. 175, enacted by the Second Philippine Commission on
July 18, 1901. The Constabulary then was composed of six thousand men led by
American officers and former members of the Spanish Guardia Civil. Under close
American direction and control, it functioned as a military organization.

Since its formation, the Constabulary had been primarily discharging police law
enforcement and public safety functions. Its officers and men had served with distinction

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both in the field of law enforcement and in combating violence and lawlessness, and in
various aspects of public service. There was even a time in history when they performed
the duties of teachers, sanitary inspectors, midwives, doctors and foresters.

The Philippine Constabulary was mandated as a civilian organization on March

15, 1945 when it was placed under the general supervision of the Interior then later
transferred to the Secretary of National Defense on March 30, 1950. The Secretary of
Interior had supervision over the Constabulary as early as January 13, 1939 until the
outbreak of World War II.

As an insular police force, the officers of the Constabulary carried the civilian title
of “inspector.” Its peacekeeping duty was limited to areas where military rule had been
lifted.

The Constabulary at War: The participation of the Constabulary in the dark

years of the Second World War began upon President Roosevelt’s declaration of a state
of emergency in the United States. Manila prepared for war. The word had been sent:
Japan, the Axis power’s ally in Asia, would soon attack the Far East. Filipinos woke up
on the morning of December 8, 1941 to the news that the Japanese had attacked Pearl
Harbor. The next days and months saw relentless Japanese bombings on the country’s
landmarks, airfields and naval bases.

On November 30, 1900, the Commission recommended to the Secretary of War

the organization of an insular police force. The recommendation having been
approved, the Philippine Commission passed Act. 175 on July 18, 1901, entitled “An
Act Providing for the organization and Government of an Insular Constabulary”.

Lt. Col. HENRY T ALLEN – was designated as the first Chief of the Insular
Constabulary.

Brig. Gen. RAFAEL CRAME - was the first Chief of the Philippine Constabulary
(when the Constabulary, after 16 years of existence, was placed under the Filipino
leadership)

Under the technicalities of the law, the Constabulary is a national police institution for
preserving the peace, keeping order and enforcing the law. In fact, its police nature was
expressly and clearly stated in Section 1 of Act No. 175, the organic act creating the
Constabulary. The same provision was retained in Section 825 of the 1917
Administrative Code.

The Commonwealth Period

Commonwealth Act No. 1 created the Philippine Army and ended the 35 years of
the Philippine Constabulary as an insular police. The creation of municipal and city
governments in the localities was also established its own police forces designed after
the American model of policing which was local in nature but built along military lines.
Chartered cities also created their own police forces whose members were appointed by
the City Mayor and whose appointments were to be confirmed by the Civil Service
Commission.

World War II Period

The Philippine Constabulary was absorbed by the United States of Armed Forces
in the Far East (USAFE) as a fighting unit and joined the Philippine Scout in fighting the
Japanese.

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Japanese Occupation Period

The Japanese Occupation of the Philippines had brought about terrors and fears
among the Filipino people. Enforcement of the laws was done by the Japanese Imperial
Army but mainly by the Japanese secret police known as Kempetai. The main function
of the Kempetai was the identification, location and arrest of Filipino guerillas including
their supporters. The Kempetai was the most feared unit of the Japanese army because
of their brutality in enforcing their functions. They were usually helped by Filipino traitors
who were made to identify guerillas and sympathizers while their head were covered by
a bag or cloth with openings for their eyes.

The Postwar Constabulary

The country was left in shambles after the Second World War. Manila was in
ruins. Loose firearms and dead bodies littered the streets. This was also the period
when communist ideology had been propagated in the countryside and hard-line
supporters had been won.

The Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan or Hukbalahap became a force to reckon

with in Central Luzon. The Hukbalahap was born in Pampanga and was spawned by a
feudal land system in the province dominated by landlords. Pampanga was an “ideal
ground” for the agrarian unrest. It achieved legal status during the Japanese occupation
when it merged with the guerilla forces in fighting the Japanese.

The communist movement, meanwhile, capitalized on the agrarian problems of

the country to cement its presence. Agrarian unrest was prevalent in agricultural lands in
Luzon as well as the sprawling haciendas in the south. Luis Taruc became a leader of
the HMBs and founded his own government in Central Luzon.

It was during this turbulent period that the Philippine Constabulary was
reactivated into the Military Police Command. Faced with peace and order problems, the
Military Police Command was suffering from its own internal crises. The last war had
killed many Constables. There was a dearth for trained personnel who would be utilized
to address the problems.

Constabulary records showed that there were about 20,000 Hukbalahaps in

Luzon in 1946. The Military Police Command, on the other hand, had 23,000 informal
enlistees.

Reorganization: On January 1, 1944, the Military Police Command was dissolved

by virtue of Executive Order No. 94 issued by President Manuel A. Roxas. The
Command’s 12,000 officers and men were absorbed by the newly reorganized
Philippine Constabulary.

The revitalized PC was in charge of the country’s peace and order “except those
which were purely military in nature.” Brig. Gen. Mariano Castañeda became chief of the
PC and instituted reforms. On June 21, 1948, President Elpidio Quirino offered general
amnesty to the Huks. Taruc, who had been elected a member of Congress representing
Pampanga, returned to Manila. But Taruc had no plans to surrender. He only went to
Manila to collect his back salaries and used the money for his comrades’ operations in
Central Luzon. President Ramon Magsaysay was credited for crippling the Huk
movement by mobilizing the Philippine Constabulary. Magsaysay used the “friendly
touch” for winning over the Huks, building roads for them and giving them lands.

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The Rise of the Communist Party of the Philippines

The Philippine Constabulary’s attempt to maintain peace and order did not end
with the decimation of the Huks. On December 26, 1968, Jose Maria Sison, a Political
Science student at the University of the Philippines, founded the Communist Party of the
Philippines. The communist ideology spread through a small discussion group called
Kabataan Makabayan organized by Sison and his colleagues in the middle sixties.
Sison then rose to become the leader of the CPP and organized the military wing of the
CPP, the New People’s Army. But the communists suffered a crushing blow on January
9, 1969 in the hands of the Constabulary who killed the most number of communist
leaders in one encounter in Orani, Bataan.

The PC Metropolitan Command

The upsurge of mass demonstrations and violence during the latter part of the
60s and the expansion efforts of the communist movement triggered the creation of the
PC Metropolitan Command. To quell the unrest, President Ferdinand Marcos issued
Executive Order Number 76 on July 14, 1967 establishing the PC Metrocom which
became the PC’s striking force as it was authorized to conduct 24/7 patrol in the entire
Metro Manila and was tasked to “supplement or complement local police action in the
repression and prevention of crimes…”

Martial Law and the PC

The Philippine Constabulary took on a pivotal role when President Marcos

declared Martial Law on September 21,1972. Marcos mobilized the Constabulary and
other major services of the military to dismantle the “unconstitutional opposition” and to
prevent widespread hooliganism and gangsterism. Convinced that there was a need to
restructure the social base that bred lawlessness, Marcos reorganized the government
machinery to effect his desired changes in the social, economic and political structures.

On March 21, 1974, President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Presidential Decree

421 unifying all the police, fire and jail services in Metro Manila. The move was
significant as it created an elite force, the Metropolitan Police Force, that was placed
under the aegis of the PC Metrocom. The decree was also the first step in fulfilling the
constitutional mandate for an integrated national police force. The Metropolitan Police
Force was tasked to carry out the integration of all police units nationwide.

Brigadier General Prospero A Olivas, commanding general of the Metrocom, was

assigned the task of launching the pilot project under the supervision of Fidel V. Ramos
and Brigadier General Cicero C. Campos, deputy Chief for police matters. General
Olivas would have the power and direction over the Metrocom, including tactical,
strategic movements, deployments, placements and utilization of the entire force and
the training thereof.

On August 8, 1975, Marcos issued Presidential Decree No. 765 establishing the
Integrated National Police with the Philippine Constabulary as the nucleus and all police
officers as components. They were all placed under the supervision of the Ministry of
National Defense.

The Philippine Republic

The passage of Republic Act No. 4864, otherwise known as the Police Act of
1966 had brought about anew light in police reform throughout the country. The law
provides for a standard in the selection of policemen through the qualifications set forth
by the law, however, this did not eliminate the various negative factors that plague the
police forces. Jurisdictional restrictions among the police forces was addressed by the

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said law although training wad one by the Police Commission which was created under
the said law. The said law was passed and approved by Congress with end in view of
professionalizing police service which serves as the Code of all local police departments
in the country, some of its pertinent provisions read:

Sec. 2. Purposes – It is hereby declared to be the policy and purpose of this Act
to achieve and attain high degree of efficiency with the end in view that peace and order
may be maintained more effectively and the laws enforced with more impartiality. It is
also the object of this Act to place the local police service on a professional level.

One of the most significant provisions of R.A. 4864 is section 7 which specifically
define the duties of peace officers expressly provides, that:

Sec.7. Duties of Peace Officers – All members of the police agency shall be
peace officers. It shall be their duty to preserve peace and order; prevent the
commission of crimes, protect life, liberty and property; and arrest all violators of laws
and ordinances within their jurisdiction. They shall exercise the general powers to make
arrest, searches and seizures in accordance with law. They shall detain an arrests a
person only within the period prescribed by law.

By express mandate of P.D. 421, the Metropolitan Police Force (MFP) was
formed and created whose officers and men are regular members of the Philippine
Constabulary.

On the 13th day of June, 1972, P.D. No. 482 was issued, the principal purpose of
which (“purportedly”) is to bolster the entire police agencies in the country (2nd, 3rd, and
4th paragraphs. P.D. No. 482)

As distinguished from P.D. No. 421, P.D. 482 specifically lodged to the Philippine
Constabulary the powers of direct control, direction and supervision over the provincial
integrated police forces (1st sentence, Sec. 4, Supra). Several Presidential Decrees
were subsequently issued complementing, modifying and/amending other existing PD’s.

On the 8th day of August, 1975, P.D. No. 765 was issued establishing and
constituting the Integrated National Police (INP). Section 1 of the aforesaid
Presidential Decree provides:

Sec.1. Constitution of the Integrated National Police – There is hereby

established and constituted the Integrated National Police which shall be composed of
the Philippine Constabulary as the nucleus, and the Integrated (National) Police Forces
established x x x under the Department of National Defense.

The word “composed” as provided in that provision of law makes the Philippines
Constabulary a cohesive part of the INP. It became the central point of authority, even
as it remained as one of the major services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Sec.
5. P.D.765).

The issuance of P.D. 765 somehow finds constitutional sanction under Section 9,
Article XIV of the 1935 Constitution which expressly provides:

Sec.9. – The government shall organize and maintain a national police force to
preserve public order and enforce the law.

Observe the language of the law – “The constitutional duty of the INP under the
1935 Constitution is merely to preserve public order and enforce the law”. To defend
and protect the people were not included thereto as distinguished from the 1987
Constitution.

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 After the dictatorship was overthrown by the EDSA revolution. Congress of the
Philippines acknowledged and recognized that unless the police be released from
military influence and indoctrination, the constitutional provision that “Civilian authority
is, at all times, supreme over the military” (Sec. 2, Art II, 1987 Constitution) will be
nothing but an empty piece of legislation.

Thus R.A. No. 6975 was passed and approved by the Congress creating the
Philippine National Police (PNP) and incidental thereto, dissolving the Philippine
Constabulary whose officers and rank and file were given the privilege to either
join the AFP of the PNP within the period as provided therein.

From a constabulary beginning, the Philippine National Police has been the
state’s warning of defiance to the forces of evil that threatened to undermine the
structure of public safety “a police organization composed of men who live in service,
and die in line of duty”.

The Creation of the Philippine National Police: The People’s Revolution of

1986 saw the birth of the 1987 Constitution that included a provision on the PNP
which was to be “national in scope and civilian in character.” In 1991, the
Philippine National Police was created with the passage of Republic Act No. 6975,
otherwise known as the “Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of
1990.” The principal authors of the Republic Act 6975 were Senators Ernesto N
Maceda and Aquilino Pimentel, Congressmen Jose S Cojuangco Jr. and Rodrigo
Gutang.

Upon its signing into law on December 13, 1990, the PNP underwent a
transitory period; and on 31 March 1991, President Corazon Aquino named
General Cesar Nazareno as the first Director General of the Philippine National
Police.

On January 29, 1991, at Camp Crame, Quezon City, the Philippine Constabulary
and the Integrated National Police were retired officially and the Philippine
National Police was born.

Like any new evolving organization, the PNP suffered from birth pains. To
address these concerns, Republic Act 8551 or the PNP Reform and
Reorganization Act of 1998 was enacted on February 17, 1998 to amend certain
provisions of Republic Act No. 6975. This move was in response to the growing
clamor to transform the PNP “into a more responsive, effective and relevant
police organization.” Under this Act, the PNP shall be strengthened and evolved
into a highly efficient police force that is community and service-oriented and
fully accountable in the performance of its action.

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 THE POLICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION
Police Organization

-- is a group of trained personnel in the field of public safety administration

engaged in the achievement of goals and objective that promotes the maintenance of
peace and order, protection of lives and properties, enforcement of the laws and the
prevention of crimes.

-- is a system composed of smaller/ larger units or subsystems logically arranged

in accordance with various organizational principles such as division of work, unity of
command and direction, span of control or line of authority and related factors.

Police Administration - has been defined as the management of police

organization which is all about the work of a police officer or the utilization of talents to
coordinate an effort and manage resources for the achievement of police organizational
goals.

A discussion of police organization is inter-related with the study of administration

or management. The act of organizing is indispensable to proper management. Without
some form of organizational structure, most police operation could not be carried out. If
the organizational structure is poor and if the organizational concepts are poorly
understood or applied the administrative efficiency of the department will be adversely
affected.

GOALS OF POLICE ORGANIZATION

As mandated by the Constitution, other related laws and ordinances of the local
government units, the following are some of the goals of police organization:

1. To safeguard Constitutional Rights;

2. To protect the people and their property from harm and violence ;
3. To prevent crimes;
4. To identify criminals or law violators and apprehend them;
5. Provide public services especially on emergency basis.

Titles of Organizational units and Other Terminology

Functional Units - Functional divisions of the department are described in the following
terms:

1. Bureau – the largest organic functional unit within a large department. It

comprises of numbers of divisions.
2. Division – a primary subdivision of a bureau.
3. Section – functional unit within a division that is necessary for specialization.
4. Unit – functional group within a section; or the smallest functional group with in
an organization.

Territorial units

1. Post – a fixed point or location to which an officer is assigned for duty, such as a
designated desk or office or an intersection or cross walk from traffic duty. It is a
spot location for general guard duty.
2. Route – a length of streets designated for patrol purposes. It is also called LINE
BEAT.
3. Beat – An area assigned for patrol purposes, whether foot or motorized.
4. Sector – An area containing two or more beats, routes, or posts.

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 5. District – a geographical subdivision of a city for patrol purposes, usually with its
own station.
6. Area – a section or territorial division of a large city each compromised of
designated districts.

Other Items and Terminologies

1. Sworn Officers – all personnel of the police department who have oath and who
posses the power to arrest.
2. Superior Officer – one having supervisory responsibilities, either temporary or
permanently, over officers of lower rank.
3. Commanding Officer – an officer who is in command of the department, a
bureau, a division, an area, or a district.
4. Ranking Officer – the officer who has the more senior rank/higher rank in a team
or group.
5. Length of Service – the period of time that has elapsed since the oath of office
was administered. Previous active services may be included or added.
6. On Duty – the period when an officer is actively engaged in the performance of
his duty.
7. Off Duty – the nature of which the police officer is free from specific routine duty.
8. Special Duty – the police service, its nature, which requires that the officer be
excused from the performance of his active regular duty.
9. Leave of Absence – period, which an officer is excused from active duty by any
valid/acceptable reason, approved by higher authority.
10. Sick Leave – period which an officer is excused from active duty by reason of
illness or injury.
11. Suspension – a consequence of an act which temporarily deprives an officer
from the privilege of performing his duties as result of violating directives or other
department regulations.
12. Department Rules – rules established by department directors/supervisors to
control the conduct of the members of the police force.
13. Duty Manual – describes the procedures and defines the duties of officers
assigned to specified post or position.
14. Order – an instruction given by a ranking officer to a subordinate, either
a. General Order, b. Special, or c. Personal.
15. Report – usually a written communication unless otherwise specifies to be verbal
reports; verbal reports should be confirmed by written communication.

TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

An organizational structure is a mechanical means of depicting, by an

arrangement of symbols, the relationship which exists between individuals, groups, and
functions within the organization. Lines of authority and responsibility and functional
relationships between groups and individuals are clearly defined to ensure
accountability and compliance.

Line Structure/ Line Organization

The line structure is the oldest, simplest and clearest form of organizational
design. As illustrated in Figure 1, authority flows from the top to the bottom of the
organization in a clear and unbroken line, creating a set of superior-subordinate
relations in a hierarchy commonly called chain of command. A primary emphasis is
placed upon accountability by close adherence to the chain of command.

The term “line” originated with the military and was used to refer to those units
which are to be used to engage the enemy in combat. Line also refers to those elements

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of a police organization which perform the work which the agency was created to
handle. Stated somewhat differently, line units contribute directly to the accomplishment
of the police. Thus, the primary line elements of a police department are uniformed
patrol, investigation, and traffic. Within the police agencies the line function may also be
referred to as “Operations”, Field Services”.

The pure line police organization does not have any supporting elements which
are internal or part of it’s such as personnel, media relations, training, or fiscal
management. Instead, the line police organization totally uses its resources to provide
services directly to the public. Typically found only in small towns, the line is the most
common type of police organization due to the sheer frequency of small jurisdiction.
However, most police officers work in larger departments which retain the basic line
elements, but to which are added various types of support units. These larger police
departments are often referred to as the line and staff organization.

The Functional Organization

It divides responsibility and authority between several specialists, such as the

person responsible for all training, the employee directing the community relations
activities of all units within the department, or the officer having line authority over any
employee within the department handling a case involving a juvenile. The functional
responsibility of each functional manager is limited to the particular activity over which
he has control, regardless of who performs the function.

Line and Staff Structure

As more demands for services are placed on police departments, there is a need
to add internal support functions so that the line functions can continue to provide direct
services to the public. The addition of support functions to the line elements produces a
distinct organization form: the line and staff structure. It is a combination of the line and
functional types and is found in almost all but the very smallest police agencies today. It
combines staff specialists for units with the line organization so that service of
knowledge can be provided line personnel by specialists such as the criminalists, the
training officer, the research and development specialists, the public relation officer, and
the intelligence specialists. Channels of responsibility is to "think and provide expertise"
for the line units which are responsible for "doing". The line supervisor must remember
that he obtains advice from the staff specialists, not command.

Matrix Structure

One interesting form of organizational design is variously referred to as “matrix”

or “grid” structure. In some cases, the style has been inclusively part of “project” or
“product” management. The essence of matrix structure is in the assignment of
members of functional areas (e.g. patrol, detective, and support services) to specific
projects (e.g. taskforce and crime specific programs). The most typical situation in which
the matrix approach is used in where a community has had a series of sensationalized
crimes and the local police department announces it has formed a “task force” to
apprehend the violator. Quite often, the matrix structure is used for relatively short
periods of time when specific programs are conducted. After the assignment is
completed, individuals return to their respective units.

Although the matrix structure greatly increases organizational complexity, it has

been successful only in the short term delivery of police services.

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 PNP INTERNAL FORMAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS

The internal functions of the PNP may be generally grouped into three types:
mission-critical, conscience, and housekeeping functions.

a. Mission-critical functions – traditionally called “line function”, which directly deal with the
production and delivery of the services which the PNP is mandated by law to provide.
b. Conscience or “staff” functions – which include the formulation of plans, policies and
programs; development of rules, guidelines and standards; monitoring and evaluation of
organizational performance; research and development; strategic planning, and
establishing the capacity for continuing learning and improvement.
c. Housekeeping functions – which cover the administrative and financial activities,
including budgeting and accounting, procurement and physical assets, management,
human resource management, general administration services, and related logistical
services.

PRINCIPLES OF POLICE ORGANIZATION

a.) Tasks, similar or related in purpose, process, method, or clientele should be

grouped together in one or more units the control of one person. Whenever practicable,
every function of the police force shall be assigned to a unit.
b.) Specialized units should be created only when overall departmental capability
is thus significantly increased.
c.) Lines of Authority and Chain of Command should be clearly established
demarcated and well defined.
d.) Each individual unit or situation, shall be under the immediate control of only
one superior.
e.) The span of control of a supervisor every personnel or units shall not be more
than what he can effectively direct and coordinate. Relatedly, levels of authority shall be
kept to a minimum.
f.) The responsibility for a function shall carry with commensurate authority and
the person to whom the authority is delegated shall be held accountable therefore.

*SPECIALIZATION BASED ON NEED*

Specialization is a principle of organization that results from the division of the

force into separate units to perform police tasks. The degree of specialization, in turn, is
determined by the size and sophistication of the department, by the number of special
units created and by the extend to which each has exclusive responsibility for the
performance of tasks within the special field.

*UNITY OF COMMAND*

In the police service it is important that only one man be in complete command of
each situation and only one man be in direct command or supervision of each officer.

*SPAN OF CONTROL*

- Ability of one man to direct, coordinate, and control immediate subordinates -

his span of control - has physical limits, because he can be in only one place at one
time; and he cannot work 24 hours a day.

- A span of control is the maximum number of subordinates at a given position

that superior can supervise effectively. The span of control of supervisor over personnel
or units shall be not more than what he can effectively direct and coordinate, relate level
of authority shall be kept to minimum.

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 Determining the Span of Control

Effective organization requires that only a manageable number of subordinates

be supervised by one person at any given time., this number will, of course, vary-not
only from one organization to another (depending on each organization’s definition of
“effective supervision”) but also with each organization depending on the number of task
and the size of personnel available at a given time. The proper Span of Control is
determined by such factors native ability:
a.) the complexity of the tasks to be performed by subordinates;
b.) separation of the superior from immediate subordinates by the time or place
c.) the time demanded by the public for personal appearances and public
requests for assistance

2. Delegation of Authority

Delegation of Authority is the division of the tasks of command among the

officers of the various units, it maybe divided into Policy Formulation, Direction,
Supervision and Execution.

As an organization grows in complexity it soon becomes apparent that delegation

must take place. Organization dynamics requires that authority-responsibility
relationships be established so that the hierarchical structure can accomplish its
objectives. The process of delegation must take place whenever a supervisor’s
responsibilities become too heavy for him. The only way he can do his job effectively is
to delegate some of his work to others. Delegation frees him from a multitude of time-
consuming task and permits him to give proper attention to the important parts of his
job. Delegation involved authority, responsibility, and accountability.

 Authority

Authority involves the right to make decisions, give orders, and expect to be
obeyed in relation to work assignments. It is the right to require action of others. It is a
permission to make commitments, use resources, and to take other necessary action to
make possible the performance of the assigned work. Authority is described and defined
in job descriptions, policies, procedures, instruction manuals, routines, and special
instructions.

Responsibility and Accountability

Responsibility is a double obligation: 1) to the obligation to perform the assigned

work in a suitable manner or to see that someone else does it in suitable manner, and 2)
accountability for its proper performance. Accountability is defined as the obligation of a
subordinate to report to the delegating superior upon the exercise of authority and the
performance of the assignment. Actually, an employee is responsible for two things:
performance of the work assigned, and then feedback to the boss as to the way the
authority was exercised and the work performed. Accountability is being answerable for
one’s conduct in respect to obligations fulfilled or unfulfilled; it is a rendering of
stewardship.

Delegation
Delegation is the act of transferring selected responsibilities, with commensurate
authority, to one or more subordinates. Delegation of authority should be from a superior
to his immediate subordinates. Theoretically the delegation should be to the position
and not to the man; but actually the kind of man determines the kind of delegation. First
of all, the subordinate must be able and willing to receive the authority. To be able he
must have a sufficient knowledge and experience to make good decisions and just be

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able to exercise his authority so that the goals will be achieved. And he must be willing
to accept responsibility.

GROUPING OF SIMILAR TASKS

Tasks maybe group if they are similar or related in function, process method, or
clientele or of there is a need to group them by time of day, place of execution or level of
authority. Each of these elements can be termed a basis or organizational grouping:

1. According to Function - the force should be organized primarily according to

the nature of the tasks to be performed. It should be divided into groups so that similar
and related duties may be assigned to each.

2. According to Time Frame - the units are divided into shifts or watches
according to the time of day.

3. According to Place of Work - a territorial distribution of a platoon, accomplished

by assigning a patrolman to beats, is necessary to facilitate the direction and control of
the officers and to ensure suitable patrol service at every point within the jurisdiction.

4. According to Level of Authority - a police department is always divided

according to the level of authority; there will be some patrolmen, some sergeants, some
lieutenants and so on. Vertical combinations of superior officers, with each rank at a
different level of authority from any other form channels through which operations may
be directed and controlled. These chains of command, or lines of direct control, facilitate
the delegation of authority and the placing of responsibility, supervision is thus ensured
and coordination is effected.

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