FIRST PILLAR OF THE PCJS IS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT

                By and large, law enforcement is preventive and deterrent activity.  It consists of patrolling to supervise conduct, investigating to identify offenders and/or recover stolen or missing property, warning or arresting those who are probably guilty of criminal behaviour, and assisting in the prosecution and trial of offenders.  Its goals are all aimed towards the prevention of crime and disorder, preservation of peace, and the protection of life, property and individual freedom.

                A large number of government agencies are involved in law enforcement, one way or another.  The kind and degree of involvement varies from general and specific law enforcement to enforcing statues and regulation pertaining to particular government activities.

                The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) spearhead the law enforcement function.  The PNP a national in scope and civilian in character and is administered and controlled by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM); an attached agency of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

POLICE FUNCTIONS

                The role of the police is being incisively scrutinized under our modern criminal justice system and society.  It is for this single reason that it is very difficult to define with certainty the actual role of policing that must be developed to meet the expectations and desires of the community from its police force.

                Be that as it may, Charles D. Hale in his book entitled “Police Patrol Organizations and Management” mentions the following as the goals and objectives of the law enforcement:

                                1.   Crime Prevention

                                2.   Criminal Apprehension

                                3.   Order Maintenance

4.   Public Services and

5.   Traffic Regulations and motor accident investigation

POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE PNP

a.   Enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the protection of lives and properties;

b.   Maintain peace and order and take all necessary steps to ensure public safety;

c.   Investigative and prevent crimes, effect the arrest of criminal offenders, bring offenders to justice and assist in their prosecution;

d.   Exercise the general powers to make arrest, search and seizure accordance with the Constitution and pertinent laws;

e.   Detain the arrested person for a period not beyond what is prescribed by law, informing the person so detained of all his rights under the constitution;

f.   Issue license for the possession of firearms and explosives in accordance with law;

g.   Supervise and control the training and operations of security agencies and issue license to operate security agencies, and to security guards and private detectives, or the practice of their profession; and

h.   Perform such other duties and exercises all other functions as may be provided by law.