Lacking in height but not in skills? You can still be a cop if you impress Napolcom panel

MANILA, Philippines—The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has created a three-man committee to evaluate police applicants who do not meet the minimum age, weight and height requirements but possess special skills and talents useful to the service.

In an announcement on Tuesday, Eduardo Escueta, Napolcom vice chair and executive officer, said the evaluation committee would be chaired by the chief of the Personnel and Administrative Service with the heads of the Planning and Research Service and the Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service as members.

“Applicants for waiver shall undergo the panel interview. They are also required to showcase their special skills and talents before the committee members and the consultants,” Escueta added.

He stressed, however, that “such skills and talents shall be considered only if the same will be valuable to the police organization” and that the committee may recommend engaging the services of experts in various fields of discipline to evaluate these.

The Napolcom formed the evaluation committee through a resolution after it issued on May 21, 2013, Memorandum Circular No. 2013-004 prescribing the guidelines on the granting of waivers on age, height or weight requirements to a wider base of applicants whose special qualifications or skills may be useful to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The waiver, however, will be applicable only when the number of qualified applicants falls below the office and unit quota which will be determined only at the end of the recruitment process.

According to the PNP’s qualifications, male applicants must be at least 1.62 meters in height and 1.57 m for females.

They must not weigh five kilograms below or above the standard weight corresponding to their height, age and sex. Applicants should also be between 21 to 30 years old.

Escueta said that the age requirement may be waived provided that the applicant is not below 20 years old or above the age of 35.

The waiver on the height requirement may also be applicable in the case of a male applicant who is at least 1.57 m tall and a female applicant with a height of at least 1.52 m.

For overweight applicants, they will be given a reasonable amount of time not exceeding six months to lose the excess weight.

Escueta explained that applicants shall be evaluated based on the following criteria: Actual performance of the special skill or talent (75 percent), panel interview which shall reflect the personality of the applicant (15 percent) and potential to become an asset to the PNP organization (10 percent).

Under the circular, applicants for waiver should “possess an exemplary aptitude to be capable police officers.”

Among these are special skills in evidence gathering and safekeeping; cybercrime 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; and outstanding academic records and extracurricular activities of applicant during his/her school days; good family background in law enforcement or socio-civic activities; recognized social standing in the community; and awards and commendations received.—Niña P. Calleja