Law Enforcement Operations and Planning with Crime Mapping (LEA 103)

Tomas Claudio Colleges POLICE UNIFORM AND ACCESSORIES

Agency Prescribed Uniform.
Criminology Department  A police officer shall always wear the
prescribed uniform for the kind of police
Compiled by: John Patrick B. De Jesus operation to be undertaken.
Appearing Before the Public.
Course Description:  When wearing the police uniform, a police
This course provides the fundamental concepts of officer shall, at all times, appear to look
planning as a leadership role and the operations of presentable, respectable, smart, and well-
selected Law Enforcement and Public Safety Agencies groomed.
and their respective legal mandates and limitations  A police officer shall refrain from doing
under existing laws. The Crime Mapping and its unnecessary activities and/or actions while on
relations to police operations. duty.
Carrying of Basic Police Equipment.
Course Content:  Every police officer on patrol, whether on board
Prelim- Midterm: a vehicle or on foot patrol, shall always carry
 Police Operations and operations of other law with him/her his/ her issued firearm, and other
enforcement units. equipment such as but not limited to restraint
 Constitutional rights of the person device, impact device and personal protective
affected/subject by police/law enforcement equipment.
operations  He/she shall also use other accessories
Semi-final: required for the specific police operation being
 Principles of Planning conducted.
 Elements of Planning
 Types of Plans CATEGORIES OF POLICE OPERATIONS
 Classification of Plan  Patrol Operations. The most basic police
 The Police/Law Enforcement Plans, and function and known as the backbone of
 Steps in Police Planning and Operations policing.
Final:  Law Enforcement Operations. Include service
 Crime Mapping of warrant of arrest, implementation of search
 Historical Development of Crime Mapping, warrant, enforcement of visitorial powers of the
theories of crime, place and environmental Chiefs of Police, and other anti-criminality
design, crime analysis, incidence situationer, operations.
and geographic information of crimes.  Internal Security Operations. Include
counterterrorism operations and similar
GENERAL GUIDELINES (POP MANUAL 2021) operations against other threat groups that are
conducted to ensure internal security.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES  Public Safety Operations. Include critical
incident management procedures, search,
STRATEGIC GUIDELINES rescue and retrieval operations, hostage
Regardless of the type of function to be situation, civil disturbance management
performed and/or police operations to be conducted, all operation, management of health hazards and
PNP personnel must know by heart and shall comply other operations that promote public safety.
with and apply the following principles and procedures:  Special Police Operations. Include high-risk
checkpoint and roadblock operation, police
To Serve and Protect assistance in the implementation of order from
 The responsibility of every police officer is to the court and other quasi-judicial bodies,
serve the public and protect life and property. security to major and special events, aircraft
To Respect Human Rights and Dignity of Person hijacking operations, visit, board, search and
 All PNP personnel shall respect and uphold the seizure of marine vessels, and similar police
human rights and dignity of all persons at all operations that are conducted by police units
times. with specialized training on the peculiarity of the
mission or purpose.
 Investigation Operations. Include
investigation of crime or incident, Scene of the
Crime Operations (SOCO), administrative

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 Law Enforcement Operations and Planning with Crime Mapping (LEA 103)

investigation and other investigative work furnish the LPU a written incident report
necessary to determine facts and immediately after the termination of the operation.
circumstances for filing cases criminally or Section
administratively.
 Police Community Relations. Include three REQUIREMENTS OF POLICE OPERATIONS
interrelated dimensions to accomplish its
mission namely: community affairs and Basic Requirements.
development, public information, and Police operations such as but not limited to
information development operations to forge arrest, search and seizure, checkpoint, roadblocks,
partnership and strengthen collaboration and and civil disturbance management shall, whenever
linkages with the community. applicable and practicable, be conducted as follows:
a. With marked police vehicle;
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES b. Led by a Police Commissioned Officer (PCO) or
the most senior Police Non-Commissioned Officer
All PNP personnel shall respect and uphold the (PNCO) in the absence or unavailability of a PCO;
human rights and dignity of all persons at all times. and
c. With personnel in prescribed police uniform
Pre-Operational Clearance except for covert operatives when serving warrant
 In all planned police operations, the team of arrest provided personnel in uniform shall be
leader of the operating team/s shall secure a present during the arrest
Pre-Operation Clearance prior to the conduct of d. With the use of Body Worn Cameras (BWCs)
operation. and/or Alternative Recording Devices (ARDs)
 This clearance must be approved by their during the conduct of searches and arrests.
Chief/Commander/Head of Office/Unit and
must be submitted at the Operations Use of Megaphones and Similar
Section/Division of the concerned operating Instruments/devices.
police units for record purposes. During actual police intervention operations, the
Team Leader shall use peaceful means including the
Coordination use of megaphones or any other similar
 Inter-Office Coordination. The operations officer instruments/devices to warn or influence the offender/s
or Team Leader/s (TL) of Local Police Units (LPUs) or suspect/s to stop and/or peacefully surrender.
operating outside their territorial jurisdiction and
National Support units (NSUs) shall, whenever Accessories. A police officer may carry or use
practicable, coordinate personally at any levels of accessories appropriate to the police operation being
police offices (Police Regional Office (PRO) to performed. Accessories may include, ballistic vest,
Municipal Police Station (MPS)) or other friendly handheld radio, first aid kit, flashlight, hand cuff, whistle
units within whose jurisdiction the operation is to be and non-lethal equipment including but not limited to
conducted. baton, truncheon, and night stick to be used in a non-
 Coordination by Filing Coordination Form. Prior armed confrontation with a violent, uncooperative and
to the launching of the operation except in cases unruly offender.
where the formal (in writing) inter-unit coordination
cannot be made due to the nature and/or urgency Use of Body Worn Camera
of the situation such as, but not limited to, cross- a. Chain of Custody over the Recordings in the
jurisdiction pursuit operations, coordination should Execution of Arrest and Search:
be made formally using the prescribed The chain of custody over the recordings shall at all
Coordination Form, which shall be filed with the times be preserved from improper access, review, and
concerned operation center of the Police Regional, tampering. It shall cover the following events:
Provincial or City Police Office and Police Stations.
 Coordination by Practical/Available Means of 1) Recording of the footage using the BWCs/ARDs;
Communication. In cases where formal inter-unit 2) Turnover of the BWCs/ARDs used by the arresting
coordination is not feasible, the Police Unit or searching team, or of the data by the media
concerned shall endeavor to notify the Local Police representative to the Data Custodian to which they
Unit (LPU) through any practical/available means of belong;
communication including but not limited to 3) Downloading of the data by the Data Custodian;
electronic or signal communication at any time
before the operation and shall accomplish and

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 Law Enforcement Operations and Planning with Crime Mapping (LEA 103)

4) Redaction of personal identities by the Data

Custodian or his/her representative, whenever Application of Necessary and Reasonable Force.
applicable;  In the lawful performance of duty, a police
5) Retrieval of recording data and their transfer to an officer shall use necessary and reasonable
external media storage device by the Data Custodian; force to accomplish his/her mandated task of
6) Submission and delivery of the recordings contained enforcing the law and maintaining peace and
in an external media storage device to the court. order.

b. The (BWC/ARD) shall be used/activated during  A police officer, however, is not required to
the conduct of arrest, search and whenever afford the offender/s attacking him/ her the
practicable, in cases of warrantless arrests. The opportunity for a fair or equal struggle.
rules on the use of BWC under A.M. No. 21-06-08-
SC shall be observed.  The necessity and reasonableness of the force
employed will depend upon the number of
c. The (BWC/ARD) shall not be used/activated in aggressors, nature and characteristic of the
the following circumstances: weapon used, physical condition, size and
1) In police facilities unless in an official capacity, other circumstances to include the place and
or as part of an investigation procedure; occasion of the assault.
2) Conduct of any personal activity (in any location
where individuals have a reasonable  The police officer is given the sound discretion
expectation of privacy, such as restrooms, to consider these factors in employing
locker rooms, or break rooms). As a reminder, reasonable force.
there is potential criminal and civil liability if this
restriction is violated;  During confrontation with an armed offender,
3) Conduct of any personal activity in locations only such necessary and reasonable force shall
where individuals have reasonable expectation be applied as would be sufficient to overcome
of privacy such as in residences, unless the the aggression by the offender; subdue the
recording is being made pursuant to a valid arrest clear and imminent danger posed by him/her;
or search warrant of the individuals or locations; or to justify the force/act under the principles of
4) During strip or body cavity searches when self-defense, defense of relative, defense of
such is necessary as provided in the warrant; stranger or fulfillment of duty, in accordance
5) Conduct of tactical planning before the planned with the elements laid down by law and
operation; jurisprudence.
6) Intentionally activated to record
conversations/communications between PNP  The excessive use of force to arrest or
personnel without their knowledge during immobilize the suspect during police operation
routine, and other non-law enforcement related is prohibited.
activities;
7) Between confidential informants or The Force Continuum. It is a linear-progressive
undercover officers; decision-making process which displays the array of
8) Privileged communications between the subject police reasonable responses commensurate to the
of recordings and other individuals, such as level of suspect/law offender’s resistance to effect
attorneys, members of the clergy, peer support compliance, arrest and other law enforcement actions.
councilors and medical professionals;
9) While on the grounds of any public, private or  It allows police officer responses to be flexible
parochial elementary or secondary school, and/or employ reasonable force in either
hospitals, churches and other places of worship sequential, consecutive or combination of
except when responding to an imminent threat to options against the dynamic suspect/s or law
life or health; and offender/s threats or resistances.
10) Other circumstances as may be provided by the
trial court issuing the warrant which is part of  In all instances, the professional and
constitutional privilege and where the dignity of an respectable deportment (manner) of police as
individual may outweigh the public necessity for public safety servants, civil use of language,
recording. well-mannered decorum and utmost respect for
human rights shall be observed.
USE OF FORCE POLICY

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a. Three Approaches on The Use of Force uncooperative and reasonable force that
Continuum verbally abusive. will cause no harm or
 Attempts to curl into minimal chance of
1) Non-Lethal Approach. This involves the police fetal position, pull injury to the suspect or
presence in crime-prone areas and the away, escape or law offender.
employment of activities or actions to persuade evade.  Includes but not limited
and/or request cooperation of people particularly  Do not present to: o Use of bare
suspects and law offenders to police instructions immediate physical hands to guide, escort,
and other control efforts. resistance or threat hold and/or apply
of physical injury to restraining equipment
Non-Lethal Approach the police or other (handcuffs or flex
Officer’s Presence persons. cuffs/ plastic strap).
Suspect Threats or Cooperative Police  Application of body
Resistance: Response/Equipment joint manipulation,
Compliant and  Display professional immobilization and/or
cooperative with police and respectable touch pressure point
control efforts. deportment (manner). stimulation to ensure
 Wear the prescribed cooperation,
uniform with the compliance or
equipment securely surrender.
attached to the rig or Physical Control-Hard Hand Technique
utility belt. Suspect Threats or Police
Verbal Command Resistance: Response/Equipment
Suspect Threats or Police Response/ Active Resistance
Resistance: Non- Equipment  Unarmed.  As much as possible,
Verbal and Verbal  Non-compliant, the employment of
Non-Compliance uncooperative and reasonable force will
 Non-compliant,  Employ verbally abusive. not result to serious
uncooperative or communication  When responded injury.
resist to follow techniques, including: with police control  Employ reasonable
police control request, persuasion, efforts, the physical control
efforts. command and/or suspect use and/or pain-compliant
 Do not present issuance of warning by physical threats techniques, such as:
immediate voice, print and/or and/or punches, kicks and
physical electronic in clear and aggression. other striking
resistance or understandable  Uses mechanical techniques to ensure
threats of physical manner. or other objects to cooperation,
injury to the police  Use of whistle thwart the police compliance or
or to other  Use of language that control efforts by surrender.
persons. is known to the physically  May orally summon
offender or in the securing or as many persons as
national language holding to another he/she deems
 The verbal command object. necessary to assist
shall be done in a him/her in effecting
loud, firm and clear the arrest.
manner.
 Use of sign language 2) Less Lethal Approach. This involves the
employment of less lethal equipment that do not
cause serious injury and/or death and that less
Physical Control-Soft Hand Technique physical measures have been tried and deemed
Suspect Threats or Police inappropriate purposely to ensure cooperation,
Resistance: Passive Response/Equipment compliance or surrender.
Resistance The age, gender and health condition of
 Unarmed  Ensure the offenders shall be considered before the
employment of employment of less lethal equipment.
 Non-compliant,

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 Law Enforcement Operations and Planning with Crime Mapping (LEA 103)

other people. avoid hitting the head or

other vital parts of the
body.
 Wounded
persons/suspects must
Less Lethal Approach be given first aid and/or
Suspect Threats or Police brought to the nearest
Resistance:Assaultive Response/Equipment hospital at the first
Resistance Impact Weapons (such possible opportunity
as Batons,
Truncheons and/or Night b. Guidelines on the De-Escalation of Response.
Stick).  At any time when the suspects or law offenders
 unarmed.  Exert due diligence comply, cooperate or surrender to police control
 Non-compliant, in the employment of efforts, the police officer must de-escalate to
uncooperative and reasonable force the appropriate level of approach.
verbally abusive to through impact  However, he/she shall remain vigilant on the
the police and other weapons and ensure possibility of escalation of response whenever
persons. that it will not cause reasonable and necessary or depending on the
 Unlawful aggression serious injury or prevailing situation.
or attempts (apparent death.
intent) to make  Target only the Responsibility of the Police Officer in Charge of the
physical contact, fleshy parts of the Operations.
control or assault. body such as arms,  The police officer who is in charge of the
 Employs or uses torso, legs, and operation shall, at all times, observe the Force
bodily force or active thighs. Continuum and exercise control over all police
aggression (push,  As much as personnel in the area of operation to protect
throw, strike, tackle or possible, avoid lives and properties.
physical harm) that hitting the head, Remember: Basic principles, (Respect for
may or may not neck, face, groin, Human Rights)
cause injury to the solar plexus, kidneys
police officer or other and spinal column USE OF FIREARM DURING POLICE OPERATIONS
persons/self. areas.
Use of Firearm, When Justified.
3). Lethal Approach. This involves the employment of  The use of firearm is justified if the offender
lethal equipment usually as last resort. Lethal force poses an imminent danger of causing death
will only be employed when all other approaches have or injury to the police officer or other persons.
been exhausted and found to be insufficient to thwart  The use of firearm is also justified under the
(prevent) the life-threatening actions or omissions doctrines of self-defense, defense of a
posed by armed suspect or law offender. relative, and defense of a stranger.
This approach carries with it the greater  However, one who resorts to self-defense
responsibility as it may result to severe injury and must face a real threat on his/her life, and
serious bodily harm and/or death. the peril(danger/threat) sought to be
avoided must be actual, imminent and
Lethal Approach real.
Suspect Threat or Police  Unlawful aggression should be present
Resistance: Response/Equipment for self-defense to be considered as a
Serious Injury justifying circumstance.
and/or Death  The police shall not use warning shots during
Armed and  The use of conventional police operation except when the police officer
dangerous. weapons, such as hand is outnumbered and overpowered, and his/her
Unlawful aggression guns and rifles, are life and limb is in imminent danger.
and/or intention to authorized to prevent or
cause severe injury, repel the unlawful Firing at Moving Vehicles is prohibited.
serious bodily harm aggression and  A moving vehicle and its occupants shall not be
and/or death to immobilize the suspect. fired upon except when its occupants pose
police officer/s and  As much as possible, imminent danger of causing death or injury to

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the police officer or any other person, and that e. Observe defensive driving and follow traffic rules
the use of firearm does not create any danger and regulations;
to the public and outweighs the likely benefits of f. Establish good rapport with people on your beat
its non-use. and be familiar with all the people in the
 In firing at a moving vehicle, the following community;
parameters should be considered: g. Patrol members must be always on the look-out
a. The intent of the suspect/s to harm the for indications of vices and other illegal activities
police officer or other persons; on their beat;
b. The capability of the suspect/s to harm with h. Patrol members must be knowledgeable of all
certainty the police officer or other persons; conditions, events and details of places on their
and beat;
c. Accessibility or the proximity of the i. Be observant of people, places, situations or
suspect/s from the police officer and other conditions and develop an inquisitive attitude
persons. especially if the subject appears to be slightly out
of the ordinary;
Filing of an Incident Report After the Use of j. Keep under close observation actions of
Firearm. juveniles, troublemakers/agitators and the
 A police officer who fires his/her service firearm mentally ill/retarded persons and report
or weapon during a confrontation with an information to the concerned agency for
offender or offenders must submit an incident appropriate action;
report outlining the circumstances necessitating k. When requiring proof of identification from any
the use of his/her firearm. person, let him/her hand it over to you;
l. Patrol members must inform tactical operations
Procedures After an Armed Confrontation. center before responding to any incident.
 Immediately after an armed confrontation, the
officer who is in charge of the operation, when PATROL DUTIES
applicable, shall: Patrol Supervisors
a. Secure the site of confrontation; 1) Make a patrol plan with the following details:
b. Check whether the situation still poses a. Area Coverage: safe haven, ambush areas and
imminent danger; crime-prone areas;
c. Take photographs; b. Organizational detail of personnel;
d. Evacuate all wounded to the nearest hospital c. Duration;
regardless of the extent of injury; d. Stand-by points; and
e. Keep arrested suspects in isolation; e. Route plan.
f. Conduct debriefing on all involved PNP 2) Designate members of the patrol team/s;
operatives; 3) Conduct personnel and equipment check;
g. Submit After-Operations Report; and 4) Conduct briefing prior to dispatch by disseminating
h. Ensure psychological stress counseling for all any orders, directives or instructions from the Chief
involved PNP Operatives. of Police (COP) or higher authorities and new
policy or guidelines being implemented by the PNP
POLICE OPERATIONS Organization;
All PNP personnel shall respect and uphold 5) Render hourly report of personnel location and
the human rights and dignity of all persons at all situation through radio/telephone/cellphone to
times during the conduct of any police operations. Police Community Precinct (PCP)/ Station
Headquarters Tactical Operation Center (TOC);
Rule 1 Patrol Operations 6) Render after-patrol report duly signed by duty
Patrol Guidelines supervisor. PCP Commanders shall collate and
a. Conduct briefing before and debriefing after patrol submit significant details to the Station Patrol
operations Supervisor, who in turn, will submit the same to the
b. Perform firearm and equipment check prior to Provincial/District Patrol Supervisor; and
dispatch. 7) Conduct debriefing immediately after the
c. Observe precautionary measures and personal completion of patrol duties.
safety while on patrol;
d. Plan out patrol routes based on prevailing crime Patrol Officers
trends and patterns;

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1) Attend the roll call formation before his/her Tour 7) Approach the scene on foot, in complete silence
of Duty for briefing and likewise attend the after and exercising extreme caution.
Tour of Duty formation for debriefing; 8) Immediately attend to the injured unless the other
2) Patrol the assigned beats, observe and check members of the patrol are in imminent danger.
suspicious people, structures/buildings, 9) Focus all efforts to arrest criminals; however,
compounds and vehicles; priority shall be given to aiding the injured.
3) Observe and monitor public gatherings, prevent 10) Determine the crime committed, identify and
disorders and disperse unlawful assemblies; question briefly the victim/complainant and
4) Inspect and/or conduct surveillance in various possible witnesses at the scene.
business establishments and other installations 11) If the suspects or criminals have fled the scene
and remove hazards to public safety; before the arrival of the patrol team, interview
5) Check suspicious vehicles (private, public, or witnesses and immediately relay any information
commercial/delivery vehicles) in the course of gathered regarding the composition, appearance
their patrol; of the suspect, weapons used, mode and
6) Report occurrences and conditions which relate to direction of escape and other information which
crime, public peace, order and safety; may lead to the arrest of the suspects to the
7) Prevent crimes and arrest criminal offenders; Operations Center for the conduct of dragnet
8) Conduct regular visitations, operations
dialogues/consultations with the residents and 12) When responding to street fights/brawls, the
other stakeholders; patrol member may call for back-up before
9) Assist personnel of responsible agencies/unit in intervening. If there are no injuries and insufficient
facilitating the flow of traffic at busy corroborative statements obtained to identify who
intersections/roads within his/her Area of started the fight, bring both parties to the police
Responsibility (AOR), assist and provide station for appropriate action.
pedestrian information such as directions and 13) Treat all calls for police assistance properly
street locations; including complaints of nuisances caused by
10) Respond to calls, entertain complaints, initiate the excessive sound, odor, smoke, blinding light
investigation and protection of the crime scene among others
and minimize the after-effects of accidents, fires 14) When responding to calls for police assistance
and other catastrophes; due to suspected explosive device, never attempt
11) Wear the prescribed patrol uniform; to handle, move or lift the object. Instead contact
12) Have the necessary equipment; and TOC and request for Explosive Ordinance
13) Strictly observe “Buddy System” during the Disposal Team/K9 (EODT/K9). Immediately
patrol operations. isolate and cordon the area within a safe distance
from the suspected device. Divert the flow of
Guidelines and Procedures when Responding to traffic if necessary.
Calls for Police Assistance 15) When responding to calls from beerhouses, KTV
1) Gather and note down in the patrol officer’s bars, or any other similar establishments, ensure
notebook all available data as to the nature of the that all the lights are switched on.
calls, date, time and name of the caller. It may be 16) When responding to request for police assistance
regular, urgent or emergency in nature. involving domestic violence, dispute between
2) Responding officers shall validate first before neighbors and landlords/ tenants, as much as
responding to calls for police assistance possible, seek the presence of barangay officials
especially in areas with presence of threat and DSWD personnel as the case may be.
groups. 17) When responding to crime incidents involving a
3) The manner of approach will be dependent on the woman, either as victim or suspect, the presence
nature of the call, either with haste/secrecy or of a female police officer is necessary.
with/without flashing lights and sirens. 18) When responding to police assistance related to
4) Consider the pertinent factors like the time, traffic highly infectious diseases, immediately inform the
conditions, the possibility of greater damage and barangay concerned and the Station TOC for the
the neighborhood characteristics. observance of the health standard protocol.
5) Whenever practicable and available, use and 19) When responding to cybercrime, secure and
activate the BWC and comply with the guidelines preserve the evidence and immediately seek
and policies on the use thereof. assistance from cybercrime investigators.
6) Stop the patrol car some distance from the scene.

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 Law Enforcement Operations and Planning with Crime Mapping (LEA 103)

20) When responding to a hostage taking situation, c. Before approaching more than one person,
secure the scene, establish perimeter security police officers should determine whether the
and inform tactical operations center. circumstances warrant a request for back-up or
whether the stopping should be delayed until
Rule 2 LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS such back-up arrives.
d. Police officers shall confine their questions in
Stopping and Frisking (Pat-Down Search) relation to the grounds for stopping the person.
a. When to Stop and Frisk (Pat-Down Search) In no instance shall a police officer stop a
1) Stopping. person longer than the period reasonably
 The police officer may stop a person only when necessary.
there is genuine reason to believe, based on e. Police officers are not required to inform the
experiences and the particular circumstances person of his/ her rights under the law (i.e.
that a criminal activity may be afoot Miranda Warning, Anti-torture law, etc.)
(happening). unless the person is placed under arrest.
 The police officer must be able to point to
specific facts that, when taken together with 2) Body Frisking (Pat-Down Search).
rational inferences, reasonably warrant the When genuine reason justifies body frisking
stop. (pat-down search). It shall be done with due caution,
restraint, and sensitivity in the following manner:
Such facts include, but not limited to the following: a) Whenever possible, body frisking shall be done
a. The person is reported to be allegedly involved in by at least two police officers, one to do the
a criminal activity; search while the other provides security. it shall
b. The actions or demeanor of the person suggest be done with the person in a standing position
that he/she is engaged in a criminal activity; with hands raised. the police officers are
c. The person is carrying something illegal or when permitted only to feel the outer clothing of the
his/her clothing bulges in a manner that suggests person. Police officers shall not place their hands
he/she is carrying a weapon; and inside the pockets of the clothing unless they feel
d. The person is seen at the time and place an object that could probably be a weapon, such
proximate to an alleged crime incident and/or as a gun, knife, club, or the like.
flees at the sight of a police officer. b) If the person is carrying an object such as a
handbag, suitcase, briefcase, sack, or other
2) Body Frisking (Pat-Down Search). similar items that may conceal a weapon, the
 A police officer has the right to perform body police officer shall not open the item but instead
frisking if the person has been stopped with put it in a place out of the person’s reach.
genuine reason to believe that he/she carries c) If the external patting of the person’s clothing fails
weapon/s and poses a threat to the police to disclose evidence of a weapon, no further
officer’s or another person’s safety. search may be made. If a weapon is found and
the possession of which constitutes a violation of
Circumstances which may justify body frisking the law, the police officer shall arrest the person
(pat-down search) include but not limited to the and conduct a complete search.
following:
a) Visual indication suggesting that the person is Reporting After Stopping or Body Frisking.
carrying a firearm or other deadly weapon;  If after stopping or body frisking and the police
b) The type of crime believed to have been officer finds no basis for making an arrest, he/
committed by the person, particularly crimes of she should put it on record in his/her patrol
violence where the threat of use or use of notebook.
deadly weapon is involved; and  If he/she finds a ground for a valid warrantless
c) The threatening demeanor of the person. arrest, then an arrest shall be made.

Procedures and Guidelines Checkpoints

1) Stopping a. Authority to Establish Checkpoints.
a. When approaching the person, the police  The establishment of checkpoints shall be
officer shall clearly identify himself/herself and authorized by the Head of Office of the
present his/her identification card. territorial PNP unit and manned by uniformed
b. Police officers shall be courteous at all times PNP personnel.
but remain cautious and vigilant.

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 Other units may establish checkpoints in Service (NPS) or the media in case illegal drugs
coordination with the Head of Office of the are seized or recovered.
territorial PNP unit in the area. 5) The team should encourage the participation of
 For this purpose, the Heads of Offices of the Local Government Units (LGUs), PNP
territorial units are the following: accredited Civil Society Groups, Non-
1) Regional Director (RD); Governmental Organizations (NGOs), business
2) District Director; organizations, media and other stakeholders
3) Provincial Director; during the conduct of police checkpoint
4) City Director; operations. However, their participation must be
5) Chief of City/Municipal Police Station; limited only as observers except for LGU
6) Station Commander; personnel mandated to enforce laws and
7) Sub-Station Commander; and ordinances such as but not limited to traffic
8) Police Community Precinct Commander. enforcers, meat inspectors and Barangay Public
Safety Officers (BPSO).
Composition. 6) PNP personnel manning the checkpoint must
In the establishment of checkpoint, the have a presentable appearance while wearing the
checkpoint team shall be composed of, but not limited prescribed uniform. Likewise, the civilian
to, the following: members must also be in their organization’s
1) Team Leader (TL) - shall lead and take uniform with their names conspicuously displayed
responsibility in the conduct of checkpoint preferably a for identification. In no case shall the civilian
Police Commissioned Officer (PCO). In the absence of components be allowed to bear firearms during
a PCO, the most Senior Police Non-Commissioned the checkpoint.
Officer (PNCO) will act as Team Leader; 7) The area where the checkpoint shall be
2) Spotter/Profiler – shall point/profile suspected established must be well-lighted with a visible
vehicle subject for checkpoint; signage bearing the name and contact number of
3) Verifiers – shall conduct document verification, the PNP unit and the TL. 9) Due courtesy must be
search, seizure and arrest, if necessary, initial custody accorded to all road users during the conduct of
of seized evidence; checkpoint.
4) Search/Arresting personnel – shall search, seize 8) Team members must greet all persons subject for
illegal items and arrest offenders; inspection, extend apology for the inconvenience,
5) Forward/Rear Security– shall provide security in appeal for understanding, state the reasons of the
the checkpoint area and block/pursue fleeing checkpoint and thank them for their cooperation.
suspects/vehicle; 9) The team must signal the motorist(s) to slow
down and courteously request to turn-off the
Checkpoint Guidelines headlights and turn on cabin lights.
1) Checkpoints are established to enforce laws, 10) The conduct of inspection of vehicle during a
rules, and regulations, and when there is a need routine checkpoint is limited to a visual search,
to arrest a criminal or fugitive from justice done with due respect to all road users and
2) Mobile checkpoints are authorized only when conducted in a manner of least inconvenience.
established in conjunction with ongoing police The occupants cannot be compelled to step out of
operations. Only marked vehicles with blinkers the vehicle. Any search, seizure, and arrest shall
turned on shall be used in mobile be in accordance with the law. 13) A valid search
checkpoints. must be authorized by a search warrant duly
3) Designation of the personnel manning the issued by an appropriate authority.
checkpoint shall be left to the sound discretion of 11) However, a warrantless search can be made in
the Team Leader (TL), preferably with female the following cases:
personnel especially when there is an anticipated a. When there is genuine reason to believe that
involvement of a female suspect. 4) The PNP the occupant/s of the vehicle have just
Checkpoint team shall be composed of a committed, is actually committing or is about to
minimum of eight personnel with a TL, two commit a crime; or
verifiers, one spotter, two forward security and b. On the basis of prior information which are
two rear security. reasonably corroborated by other attendant
4) The team manning the checkpoints must have matters.
immediate contact with any elected public official, 12) Violations/infractions of the law during the
and representative from the National Prosecution checkpoint shall be immediately acted upon

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 Law Enforcement Operations and Planning with Crime Mapping (LEA 103)

following legal procedures. Arrested persons must i. Megaphone; and

be apprised of their constitutional rights. j. BWC or ARD.
13) The security of the PNP personnel, and most 7) The Spotter/Profiler of the team will be pre-
especially that of the civilians participating in the positioned in a place where he/she can best
checkpoint, must be given due consideration in point/profile suspected vehicles prior to their
the planning of the operation. approach to the checkpoint;
14) As much as possible, only the forward/rear 8) Search/Arresting personnel shall flag down
security team members are allowed to display suspected vehicles and conduct search, seizure
their rifles and should be positioned where they and arrest, if necessary. The search must be in
can best provide security to the checkpoint team. accordance with the plain view doctrine except
15) Checkpoint personnel may also provide police when there is a genuine reason to believe, based
assistance in the vicinity e.g., giving directions to on experiences and the particular circumstances of
inquiring motorists or passersby. each case, that criminal activity may be afoot;
16) Designated TL assigned at the checkpoint shall 9) In the event of seized drugs, the seizing personnel
be responsible for the actuations and behavior of of the team having initial custody and control of the
his/her personnel and shall be accountable under drugs shall immediately conduct physical inventory
the doctrine of Command Responsibility. and photograph the same on site in the presence
17) The TL must submit an after-checkpoint report of the accused or the person/s from whom such
immediately upon termination of the operation. items were confiscated and/or seized, or his/her
representative or counsel and any elected public
Procedures in the Conduct of PNP Checkpoint official to include representative from the media or
1) The TL shall inform his/her Chief of Police/ Station NPS, if available, who shall be required to sign the
Commander and Station TOC of the location of the copy of the inventory and be given a copy thereof.
checkpoint to be established; However, under justifiable grounds or
2) The Unit Commander or official representative of circumstances, like when the safety of the team is
NSUs and mobile forces must coordinate with the compromised, the inventory may be done at the
concerned LPU through its TOC or by other means nearest police station or at the nearest office of the
before commencing with the checkpoint; apprehending team;
3) The station TOC shall then coordinate with the 10) In case the team has no investigator as team
Higher Headquarters (HHQ) TOC, adjacent PNP member, the arrested person/s and seized items
units and other friendly forces of the established shall be turned over to the station duty investigator
checkpoints; for proper disposition;
4) The TL shall brief the PNP personnel, as well as 11) In the event that the checkpoint is ignored, and the
the civilian components present, regarding the occupants of the vehicle opened fire on the
proper conduct of the checkpoint and their personnel manning the checkpoint, the response of
assigned tasks prior to their deployment; the team shall be in accordance with the use of
5) The TL shall account his/her personnel and check if Force Continuum
they are in the prescribed uniform. He/she shall 12) The TL shall inform the station TOC before
ensure that their names are visible at all times. If terminating the checkpoint. He/she shall conduct
wearing a ballistic vest, raincoat, reflectorized vest debriefing of personnel and submit after activity
and other accessories worn over the uniform, their report for information of the COP/Station
names shall likewise be visible; Commander prior submission to HHQ.
6) The TL shall also check the following equipment
including, but not limited to: Procedures in the Conduct of On-the-Spot (Hasty)
a. Marked police vehicles (including police Checkpoints
motorcycle if available); 1) Hasty checkpoint shall be immediately
b. Signages: established upon receipt of the instruction/
c. Warning signs: (e.g., slowdown checkpoint order/clearance from the Unit Commander;
ahead, checkpoint 20 meters ahead, etc); 2) PNP personnel conducting mobile patrols on
and board patrol vehicles will initially man the
d. Information signs: name and contact number checkpoint, to be complemented with the arrival
of the unit and TL. of reinforcement. A collapsible prescribed signage
e. Firearms with basic load of ammunition; with markings: “Stop, Police Checkpoint” if
f. Ballistic vest; available, indicating also the name and the
g. Handheld and vehicle base radios; contact number of the concerned police office/unit
h. Flashlights;

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 Law Enforcement Operations and Planning with Crime Mapping (LEA 103)

and TL conducting the operations, will be used for

the purpose;
3) In the case of PNP personnel conducting Internal
Security Operation (ISO) or foot patrol, where a
vehicle and collapsible signage is not readily
available, the team shall hastily put-up improvised
barriers/ barricades or early warning signages to
indicate the established checkpoint that is
manned by said personnel;
4) The team shall immediately inform the station
TOC of the nearest police unit of the exact
location of the hasty checkpoint established to
include the name and contact number of the TL
and equipment used;
5) Where there is a possibility of high-risk stop
and/or arrest, and public safety might be at risk,
no civilian or media shall be allowed in the area;
6) The Unit Commander of the personnel manning
the hasty checkpoint shall immediately send
additional personnel, equipment and signage to
the area in order to convert the Hasty Checkpoint
into a standard Checkpoint; and
7) As soon as the Hasty Checkpoint is converted
into a standard Checkpoint, TL shall follow the
procedures in the conduct of PNP checkpoint.

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