FINAL PERIODIC COVERAGE

TOPIC 1. Conduct Customs and Traditions in the Uniformed Service.

CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

Section 1. General Statement

The PNP adopts the generally acceptable customs and traditions based on the desirable practices of the
police service. These shall serve to inspire PNP members as the organization endeavors to attain its goals
and objectives.

Section 2. Definition of Terms:

2.1 Customs - Established usage or social practices carried on by tradition that has obtained the force of
law.

2.2 Traditions – Bodies of beliefs, stories, customs and usages handed down from generation to generation
with the effect of an unwritten law.

2.3 Courtesy – A manifestation of expression of consideration and respect for others.

2.4 Ceremony – A formal act or set of formal acts established by customs or authority as proper to special
occasion.

1. Social Decorum – A set of norms and standards practiced by members during social activities and
other functions.

Section 3. Police Customs on Courtesy

The following are customs on courtesy in the PNP:

3.1 Salute – Salute is the usual greetings rendered by uniformed members upon meeting and recognizing
person entitled to a salute.

3.2 Salute to National Color and Standard – Members stand at attention and salute the national color and
standard as these pass by them or when the national color is raised or lowered during ceremonies.
3.3 Address/Title – Junior in rank address senior members who are entitled to salute with the word “Sir”
or “Ma’am”. All Police Commissioned Officers shall be addressed sir or ma’am by Police Non-
Commissioned Officers and Non-Uniformed Personnel.

3.4 Courtesy Calls – The following are the customs on courtesy calls:

3.4.1. Courtesy Call of Newly Assigned/Appointed Member – PNP members who are newly appointed or
assigned in a unit or command call on the chief of the unit or command and other key personnel as a
matter of courtesy, as well as for accounting, orientation and other purposes.

3.4.2. Christmas Call – PNP members pay a Christmas Call on their local executives in their respective
areas of responsibility.

3.4.3. New Year’s Call – PNP members pay a New Year’s call on their commanders and /or key officials
in their respective areas of responsibility.

3.4.4. Promotion Call – Newly promoted PNP members call on their unit head. On this occasion, they are
usually given due recognition and congratulations by their peers for such deserved accomplishment.

1
 3.4.5. Exit Call – PNP members pay an Exit Call on their superiors in the unit or command when relieved
or reassigned out of the said unit or command.

3.5 Courtesy of the Post – The host unit extend hospitality to visiting personnel who pay respect to the
command or unit.

1.6 Rank Has –Its –Own Privilege (RHIP) – PNP members recognize the practice that different
ranks carry with them corresponding privileges.

Section 4. Police Customs on Ceremonies

4.1. Flag Raising Ceremony – PNP members honor the flag by hoisting ii and singing the National
Anthem before the start of the official day’s work.

4.2 Flag Lowering Ceremony – At the end of the official days’ work, the PNP members pause for a
moment to salute the lowering of the flag.

4.3 Half-Mast – The flag is raised at half-mast in deference to deceased uniformed members of the
command.

4.4 Funeral Service and Honors – Departed uniformed members, retirees, war veterans or former PC/INP
members are given vigil, necrological services and graveside honors as a gesture of farewell.

4.5 Ceremony Tendered to Retirees – In recognition of their long, faithful and honorable service to the
PNP, a testimonial activity shall be tendered in their honor.

4.6 Honor Ceremony – Arrival and departure honor ceremonies are rendered to visiting dignitaries, VIPs,
PNP Officers with the grade of Chief Superintendent and above and AFP officers of equivalent grade,
unless waived./

4.7 Turnover Ceremony – The relinquishment and assumption of command or key position is publicly
announced in a Turnover Ceremony by the outgoing and incoming officers in the presence of the
immediate superior or his representative. Outgoing Commander/Director should not leave his post
without proper turnover. Turn-over includes turnover of properties/equipment, human and material
resources.

4.8 Wedding Ceremony -- During marriage of PNP members, a ceremony is conducted with participants
in uniform and swords drawn.

4.9 Anniversary – The birth or institutional establishment of a command or unit is commemorated in an

Section 5. Proper attire and appearance

5.1. Proper Attire – PNP members always wear appropriate and proper attire in conformity with the
occasion.

5.2. Table Manners – PNP members observe table etiquette at all times.

5.3 Social Graces – PNP members conduct themselves properly in dealing with people during social
functions.

5.4 Uniform/Appearance – The public looks upon a PNP member as distinctively a man among men. It is
a welcome sight when PNP members wear their uniform properly wherever they may be. Bulging stomach
is a taboo in the uniformed service. Since disciplined PNP members are best exemplified by those who are
neat in appearance and wearing the prescribed uniform, they must therefore observe the following:
2
 5.4.1. Wearing of prescribed uniform.

5.4.2 Adherence to haircut prescribed by rules & regulations.

5.5 Manner of Walking- Every PNP Member is expected to walk with pride and dignity.

Section 6. Other Police Customs:

6.1 Visiting the Sick- Immediate commanders or other available officers of the unit visit PNP Members
who are sick in the hospital, their residence or any place of confinement in order that their needs are
attended to.

6.2 Survivor Assistance of Heir of Deceased Members- A survivor officer is designated whenever PNP
members die, to render maximum assistance to their bereaved family until all benefits due shall have been
received.

6.3 Visiting the Religious Leaders- PNP Officers visit religious leaders in their areas of assignment to
establish or maintain rapport and cooperation between the different religious leaders and the PNP.

6.4 Athletics- PNP members indulge in physical fitness activities o insure that their proper physical
appearance and bearing are smaller than the size of his chest and in conformity with the standard set forth
by the organization.

6.5 Happy Hours- Usually on Friday or any other day suitable for the occasion, PNP members gather
together at their PNP club for a light hearted jesting or airing of minor gripes.

Section 7. Police Tradition

The following are police traditions:

7.1 Spiritual Belief- PNP members are traditionally religious and God-loving person. They attend
religious services together with the members of their family.

7.2 Valor- History attests that the Filipino law enforcers have exemplified the tradition of valor in
defending the country from aggression and oppression and protecting/preserving the life and property of
the people. They sacrificed their limbs and lives for the sake of their countrymen whom they have pledged
to serve.

7.3 Patriotism- The PNP members are traditionally patriotic by nature. They manifest their love of country
with a pledge of allegiance to the flag and a vow to defend the constitution.

7.4 Discipline- The discipline of the PNP members is manifested by instinctive obedience to lawful orders
and thorough and spontaneous actions towards attainment of organizational objectives guided by moral,
ethical and legal norms.

7.5 Gentlemanliness-PNP members are upright in character, gentle in manners, dignified in appearance,
and sincere in their concern to fellowmen.

7.6 Word of Honor- PNP members’ word is their bond. They stand by and commit to uphold it.

7.7 Duty- PNP members have historically exemplified themselves as dedicated public servants who
perform their tasks with a deep sense of responsibility and self-sacrifice. They shall readily accept
assignment anywhere in the country.

3
7.8 Loyalty- PNP members are traditionally loyal to the organization, country and people as borne by
history and practice.

7.9 Camaraderie- The binding spirit that enhances teamwork and cooperation in the police organization,
extending to the people they serve. It manifested by the PNP members’ deep commitment and concern for
one another.