With an emphasis on the incorporation of First Person View (FPV) drones, Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs), and social media platforms into police operations, this study evaluated the state and future prospects of 21st-century technological innovations in the Philippine National Police (PNP) Zambales 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st PMFC). The study sought to evaluate how these technologies contribute to efficient law enforcement operations, public trust, and accountability; identify key distinctions between the technologies in accomplishing these goals; pinpoint implementation-related issues; and suggest workable solutions for enhancement.
235 police officers, barangay officials, and community members participated in quantitative surveys as part of a mixed-method research design. Key personnel from the 1st PMFC and Regional Operations Division (ROD) of Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) participated in qualitative structured interviews. To check for significant differences in perceptions, the data were analyzed using ANOVA, descriptive statistics, and Likert 4-point scale interpretation.
According to the results, all three technologies were thought to have a major positive impact on police service. FPV drones were ranked top for operational efficiency, BWCs for accountability and public trust, and social media platforms for improving public participation and communication. The study did, however, also identify a number of significant obstacles, such as a lack of technical expertise, insufficient money, poor infrastructure, opposition to change, and uneven maintenance and training programs.
Notwithstanding these obstacles, the improvements were discovered to be in line with the modernization objectives of the Philippine National Police as well as the nation's more general Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those pertaining to innovation, peace, justice, and institutional strengthening. Practical suggestions from the respondents included establishing a "Tech Squad," developing standard operating procedures, establishing collaborations with LGUs, NGOs, and academic institutions, and implementing capacity-building programs.
The study comes to the conclusion that the Zambales 1st PMFC may become a more efficient, open, and community-responsive police force through the ethical and consistent use of technology in law enforcement. In order to guarantee that technology adoption improves not just operational performance and crime prevention but also long-term public trust and institutional accountability in the digital age, it suggests a methodical, well-funded, and inclusive strategy.