Master of Arts in Political Science

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Author: search.filters.author.Caburian, Jemuel DemotEnd date: 2009

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    Political knowledge and political attitude as factors of political participation of the police non-commission officers in Baguio City
    (2003-04) Caburian, Jemuel Demot
    Assessing the political socialization of the police officers is very important in determining whether or not it is designed to enhance their public accountability and professionalism in the service. Part of this evaluation is to analyze certain attributes of political socialization like political knowledge, political attitude and political participation. This study aimed to evaluate how the political knowledge and political attitude of the respondent Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCOs) were related with their political participation. These specific problems were answered in this study: 1. What is the extent of respondents' political knowledge in terms of gender and rank 2. What is the extent of respondents' political attitude in terms of gender and rank? 3. What is the degree of relationship between the respondents' political knowledge and political participation when moderated by gender and rank? 4. What is the degree of relationship between the respondents' political attitude and political participation when moderated by gender and rank? The researcher made use of the purposive sampling technique in recruiting the respondents. The primary data gathering instrument that was utilized was the constructed opinionnaire-checklist. This study used the descriptive-correlational method of research. In treating the data, the weighted mean was used to measure the respondents' extent of political knowledge, political attitude, and political participation in terms of gender and rank. The coefficient of correlation (Pearson r) was used to determine the degree of relationship between the respondents' political knowledge and political participation when moderated by gender and rank, and the degree of relationship between their political attitude and political participation when moderated by the same dimensions. These were the salient findings of this study: 1. Male and Female PNCOs have "high" and "moderate" extent of political knowledge respectively. On the other hand, there is a "high" and "moderate" extent of political knowledge among the junior and senior PNCOs respectively. 2. The PNCOs from both gender and rank have an "unfavorable" political attitude. 3. The following were the findings on the correlation between political knowledge and political participation of the PNCOs when moderated by gender and rank: a. Very low positive correlation exists between political knowledge and electoral-related practices among the male PNCOs. A high positive correlation exists between the same variables among the female PNCOs. b. Low positive correlation exists between the political knowledge and community involvement among the male and female PNCOs. c. Low positive correlation exists between political knowledge and electoral-related practices among the junior PNCOs. A very low negative correlation exists between the same variables among the senior PNCOs. d. Low positive correlation exists between political knowledge and community involvement among the junior PNCOs. A very low positive correlation exists between the same variables among the senior PNCOs. 4. Findings regarding the correlation between the political attitude and political participation of the PNCOs when moderated by gender and rank were the following: a. Very low negative correlation exists between political attitude and electoral-related practices among the male PNCOs. A very low positive correlation exists between the same variables among the female PNCOs. b. A very low positive correlation exists between political attitude and community involvement among the male and female PNCOs. c. Very low positive correlation exists between political attitude and electoral-related practices among the junior PNCOs. A low negative correlation exists between the same variables among the senior PNCOs. d. Very low negative correlation exists between political attitude and community involvement among the junior PNCOs. A low positive correlation exists between the same variables among the senior PNCOs. Based on the findings, these conclusions were drawn: 1. The PNCOs are politically knowledgeable regardless of their gender and rank. 2. Politics is viewed or perceived negatively by the PNCOs from both gender and rank. 3. Gender is a moderating variable in the relationship between political knowledge and political participation, while rank is not. 4. Gender and rank are not moderating variables in the relationship between political attitude and political participation. This study presents the following recommendations: 1. As part of the political and legal education of the PNCOs, the Baguio City Police Office should provide regular seminars, forums, conferences, and the like. The foci of these activities are the recent legislations and court decisions and their related issues that have something to do with policing. This is to keep them abreast with the new laws and jurisprudences. Likewise, it may be through these activities that could make them appreciate these new laws and jurisprudences. Moreover, if possible the Baguio City Police Office may encourage its personnel to pursue higher studies like graduate or law courses. 2. In view of the political attitude of the PNCOs, the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) should adopt measures to enhance their (PNCOs) morale and benefits. In this regard, one thing that the BCPO can do is to have its own reward system. It could set up an award-giving body that is designed to give regular (monthly or quarterly) special awards, which are not usually given by the PNP to police personnel. The BCPO could tap the support of 'the NGOs (clubs, Foundations, etc.) and the Local Government of the city for the realization of this program. 3. The desired ethical behavior and benefits of the police officers must be expressly provided in the Magna Carta for the Police, should the Congress take necessary action for its legislation. Related to this, commanding officers of the PNP, in consultation with their respective subordinates, may prepare a list of these benefits to be included in the said legislation. In the BCPO, a certain committee may be created to gather, organize, and reconcile the listed benefits. It may be the task of the same committee to prepare a formal document for that matter. 4. The police force should remain under the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). This is to maintain its civilian character. However, the local chief executives who exercise operational control and supervision over the police forces assigned in their areas should not interfere in purely police matters. Their function to recommend the appointment of the chiefs of police should not be misused for their political expediency. The police officers assigned in their areas should not be used for their own political purposes. For instance, they should not be used as their campaign managers during elections, personal/party poll-watchers, or personal bodyguards. These prohibitions are necessary to maintain the apolitical status and professionalism of the police. 5. To further enhance the policewomen's active, efficient and effective participation in the realization of the Community Oriented Policing System (COPS) in Baguio City, their number in the Baguio City Police Office should be increased. The BCPO or the PNP should have its information drive as to the need of increasing women's enlistment in the police force. In addition, to encourage women to enter police pre-service courses the National Government or the concerned Local Government may provide scholarship grants for those who are interested and qualified. 6. The community involvement of the PNCOs with the participation, coordination or cooperation of non-government organizations (i.e. civic clubs, organizations, or foundations), barangays, and other government agencies must be encouraged at the Baguio City Police Office. With this, it should be the function of the commanding officers of the BCPO to establish linkages with them. 7. A replication of this study may be made to explore and evaluate the other variables or factors that may affect the police officers' political participation. Another study may be conducted to other police offices. A separate research regarding other dimensions of political socialization or political participation may also be conducted to other organizations, institutions or groups of persons like the military, educators, cadets, and public officials.