Modified ranks eliminate confusion – PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has welcomed the approval and signing of a law which modifies the rank classification in the police organization and standardizes how cops are addressed.

Senator Panfilo Lacson authored the Senate version of the law which President Duterte signed as Republic Act No. 11200 last February 8, amending Republic Act 6975 or the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990. The newly-signed law is the consolidated version of Senate Bill 2031 and House Bill 5236.

Under the new law, the PNP’s rank classification system will be distinct from that of the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), with ranks used in addressing police personnel preceded by the word “Police.”

“The new law clarifies the command and responsibility in the PNP for effective and efficient supervision and control among its uniformed personnel while performing their mandate to enforce the law, fight illegal drugs and crimes, maintain peace and order, with the active support of the people in the community,” said Senior Superintendent Bernard Banac, PNP spokesman.

“Definitely, the rank classification will contribute to more performance output and productivity from PNP uniformed personnel for having high morale as they will be called again the way they were addressed before, in contrast to the present rank classification which the public still finds difficult to follow and understand,” he stressed.

According to Banac, the new rank classification in the PNP shall be as follows: Director General to Police General; Deputy Director General to Police Lieutenant General; Director to Police Major General; Chief Superintendent to Police Brigadier General; Senior Superintendent to Police Colonel; Superintendent to Police Lieutenant Colonel;

Chief Inspector to Police Major; Senior Inspector to Police Captain; Inspector to Police Lieutenant; Senior Police Officer 4 to Police Executive Master Sergeant; SPO3 to Police Chief Master Sergeant; SPO2 to Police Senior Master Sergeant; SPO1 to Police Master Sergeant; PO3 to Police Staff Sergeant; PO2 to Police Corporal; and PO1 to Patrolman/Patrolwoman.

Banac said the PNP rank classification law “standardizes the nomenclature of organizational hierarchy in the police service, common among the uniformed services.”

He, however, clarified that while the new police rank classification has similarities with the military rank structure, it does not suggest a deviation from the civilian character of the PNP as prescribed by the law.