Republic of the Philippines

Department of Interior and Local Government

Philippine Public Safety College
National Police Training Institute
REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER 2
Cauayan City, Isabela

Scharmer’s U-Theory applied in Law Enforcement Practice

by: PLT TERRENCE T TOMAS

The Law Enforcement practice in the Philippines face various challenges in the
pursuit to attain its mandate to prevent crimes, maintain peace and order, and ensure public
safety in the country.

Considering the huge task undertaken by the Philippine National Police, there is a
need to acquire knowledge and skills in the delivery of its functions, duties and
responsibilities. Thus, the success and failure of the organization will depend on its human
resources, how one contribute what he learnt to attain its goal and aspiration.

In the performance of each task, one should deliver effectively and efficiently for the
betterment of the organization. Some task failed due to incompetence and lack the
understanding of the job assigned. This require a thorough coaching and training to improve
his performance. However, the challenge is on how the PNP Organization dissociate its
personnel from this habitual way of thinking? What contribution from this individual can
make for the possible solutions to achieve the vision of the organization?

Along this line, the PNP must established a program and strategy that are in tune with
what society actually needs. The challenge on the part of the PNP organization is to coupe-
up with the current state of its logistical and human resources such as information
technology; investigation equipment; and occupational or specialized training of its personnel
among others that will respond to the changes that are taking place in the world. These gap
serves as the obstacle in order to achieve its desired or future state to be an effective and
credible Police force and to establish a safe place to live and do business.

Likewise, weakness and threats must also be consider in order to achieved the vision
of the organization and subsequently these obstructions are lifted that will arises to change
effectively. By joining forces and working well together at all levels in PNP organizations
each personnel become capable of relinquishing established ideas, practices and even
identities that can be effective applied in law enforcement practice.

Through the adoption of Scharmer’s U-Theory by presencing the future potential of

the PNP Organization which can be realize completely towards reintegration and acceptance

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 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Interior and Local Government
Philippine Public Safety College
National Police Training Institute
REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER 2
Cauayan City, Isabela
of new and innovative ideas. The U-Theory will brought advantages in various programs
undertaken by the PNP Organization. This can be applied in one of the programs of the
current administration wherein the Philippine National Police is a member agency in the
National Task Force to End Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) specifically
provided in Executive Order No. 70, Series of 2018 signed by the President of the
Philippines, Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The Executive Order calls for the institutionalization of
whole-of-nation approach to address the root causes of insurgencies, internal disturbances
and tensions, and other armed conflicts and threat by prioritizing and harmonizing the
delivery of basic services and social development packages by the government, facilitating
society inclusivity, and ensuring active participation of all sectors of the society in the pursuit
of the country’s peace agenda.

As member of the law enforcement in attaining the sustainable peace nationwide, one
should enhance his capability to discharge his function according to the law and rules
prescribed in the Philippine National Police. As such, the implementation of this mandate
shall prevail. Suffice it to say, following the aforementioned law and rules and in the
implementation of Executive Order No. 70 will contribute for a lasting peace and security.

Therefore, the success factor s is to end the insurgency problem in the country so as
to achieve economic progress and to attain comfortable and secure life for all. These
endeavors can be realized through established programs and strategies to be undertaken by
the PNP; such as but not limited to the following:

 To issue a Memorandum Circular directing all Public Safety Forces including

Local Police Units to identify insurgency conflict-affected and vulnerable
communities;

 To designate a focal person and or dedicated personnel/leader to oversee the

implementation of said EO down to lower units of the PNP;

 The law enforcement operation shall be confine within the white areas through
“Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo” (KKDAT) Program, targeting the
vulnerable students, teachers, farmers and other individuals that might be a
subject of recruitment by the left leaning group.

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 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Interior and Local Government
Philippine Public Safety College
National Police Training Institute
REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER 2
Cauayan City, Isabela
 Sustained implementation of Law Enforcement through Information Operation
focusing on the activities and modus operandi of the insurgent; and

 To ensure that this programs shall be implemented in all levels of the organization
in collaboration with other concern agencies, stakeholders and the community.

In addition, the long term vision of the government is geared toward its development
to attain its goal for the Filipino People to live life to the fullest through the realization of the
Philippines Ambisyon Natin 2040 which the PNP plays a vital role. Ambisyon Natin 2040
represents the collective long-term vision and aspirations of Filipinos for themselves and for
the country in the next 25 years, that is having a Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay
para sa lahat by 2040. By 2040, the Philippines is a prosperous middle-class society where
no one is poor. People live long and healthy lives and are smart and innovative. The country
is a high-trust society where families thrive in vibrant, culturally diverse, and resilient
communities.”

One of the bed rocks or foundation strategies on sustainable economic growth is

“ensure security, public order and safety’ in which the PNP is one of the implementing
government agencies/organizations. Hence, the PNP must recognize the application of the U-
Theory in crafting an ideas and possible solutions concerning issues that might be a
hindrance/obstacle in the realization of the Philippines Ambisyon Natin 2040.

The process must be align from the administration’s 0+10 point socio-economic
agenda. In which zero refers to the peace and order tolerance vs criminality, graft and
corruption. Wherein, the PNP plays significant role in the maintenance of peace and order in
achieving President Duterte’s priority Thrusts. The PNP “Strategic Plan” which focuses on
delivering services on crime prevention and suppression, and crime investigation are also
aligned with the PNP’s program thrusts and the Chief, PNP’s priority thrusts. Among these
are the organizational outcome on Crime prevention and suppression programs/strategies
like:

 Sustain aggressive police operations to enhance public order and safety in our
community.

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 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Interior and Local Government
Philippine Public Safety College
National Police Training Institute
REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER 2
Cauayan City, Isabela
 Strengthen partnerships with local and international organizations in the fight
against criminality.

These innovations must be clearly appreciated by every member of the PNP

organization. Therefore, the advantages and success factors of applying the U-Theory is to
establish a long lasting connection with the community and bring back their trust and
confidence to the PNP.

On the other hand, now a days it seems that nobody thrust anyone in authority which
became one of the main problems not only within the PNP organization but also in other
government institution/agency. The trust and confidence of the citizen has turned into a
malicious perception that individuals given a position or authority in the government are liar,
crooked, corrupt, cheaters and out-of-control security services among others. These factors
has largely contributes to poverty, criminal acts, and lack of opportunity particularly to the
underprivileged. These became a challenge to every member of the PNP being in the
frontline of public safety, security and other law enforcement services. However, for the past
year some members of the PNP has involved in many forms of criminal activities which
tarnished the image of the organization in general.

The U-Theory suggested to develop an important tool to address such challenges not
only within the organization and its members but also for general public. Hence, every
member of the PNP shall recognize the following in order to regain and restore its image:

 The PNP organization must develop a patriotic leader who will leads a new
generation of police force;

 Learning from the future to achieve our goals in discharging our duties and
responsibilities with integrity, accountability and honesty which are the important
values to uphold;

 To uphold our core values "maka-diyos, maka-kalikasan, maka-tao at maka-

bansa" in performing our given task;

 Treat with respect the citizens regardless of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status
and religion; and

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 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Interior and Local Government
Philippine Public Safety College
National Police Training Institute
REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER 2
Cauayan City, Isabela

 Exercise our functions with efficiency and effectively to attain the vision, mission
and goals of our organization.

Finally, being a Newly Appointed Police Commissioned Officer (NAPCO) we must

perform our task to the best of our ability; we must develop a true patriotic leader within us;
we must motivate and influence our subordinate; we must ready to do multi-tasking
functions; and to protect people and property and to serve our country at all cost.

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