500 new cops take oath in Region 9

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A total of 500 rookie policemen took their oath, Friday, before their families and love ones in a ceremony held at the Police Regional Office 9 (PRO-9) multi-purpose center in Barangay Mercedes here.

PRO-9 Director Chief Supt Billy Beltran administered the oath of the new policemen of the Philippine National Police (PNP), who were able to pass the selection process for the Police Officer 1 (PO1) level.

Beltran welcomed the new batch of PO1s in the region, and praised them for passing the rigid screening process such as neuropsychiatric test, physical agility test, random drug tests, complete background investigation, physical, medical and dental examination.

He reminded them that their oath wa just the start of a long journey they have to undertake in their chosen profession.

“Being one of the chosen few and given the unique privilege to serve and protect the country and people, be an example of a dignified police officer,” Beltran told them.

Among the new policemen were 100 women.

After the oath taking, the new cops were immediately assigned to the Regional Training Center 9 (RTC9) for their six month Public Safety Basic Recruit Course (PSBRC), after which they will undergo another five months of Field Training Exercises (FTX), which will be spent at the different police stations.

Finally, they will spend another month for Field Training Evaluation and Assessment (FTA) to complete the one-year Field Training Program (FTP).

Right after the FTP, the new Police Officers will undergo rigid PNP Modified Special Counter-Insurgency Operations Unit Training (SCOUT) for 45 days.

The hiring of the 500 applicants completes the first cycle of PO1 Regular Recruitment Program for 2017.

Beltran said PRO-9 is now accepting applicants to fill the 230 Attrition quota available slots for new batch of police recruits in the region for the 2nd cycle of PO1 Regular Recruitment Program.