Information sourcing is a vital tool in crime detection and deterrence. It is also a strategic activity towards prosecution of criminals. Processed information becomes intelligence, which is eventually used in coming up with plans for police operations.
This study is an assessment of the information sourcing of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office towards a community-driven intelligence program. The study assessed the respondents’ perception on the information sourcing capability of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office in terms of manpower resources, logistics and funds support, systems and procedures, and community and LGU support. It also asked about the problems encountered in the information sourcing capability of Bulacan Police Provincial Office as well as the measures corresponding the problems were also assessed. The other part of the study is in finding out the significant difference in the assessment of the three groups of respondents in the information sourcing of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office, the problems encountered, and the corresponding measures. A community-driven intelligence program was also formulated at the end of the study.
The respondents of this study were the police personnel of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office, the local government officials of the selected towns and cities of Bulacan and the members of the Barangay Information Networks.
Based on the results of the study, the respondents from Bulacan PPO, local government officials of Bulacan, and members of the Barangay Information Networks agree on Police personnel exposed to developing and handling assets in the community for information sourcing; on an office for intelligence planning and coordinating center with appropriate office equipment; on a provincial intelligence plans and strategies with the purpose of information sourcing to prevent criminal activities; and on established cooperation of local government officials like barangay captains in information sourcing activities, and linkages with Barangay Tanods/ Barangay Public Safety Officers as vital component in information sourcing. Moderately serious problems are encountered by the Bulacan PPO in the insufficient number of police personnel for information sourcing in the community, limited funds allotted for the development and support of community assets, no Provincial Intelligence Plan with the purpose of information sourcing to deter criminal activities, and lack of assistance from the Bulacan Provincial Government for a province-wide intelligence operations. The information sourcing of Bulacan PPO can be enhanced through training program for data analysis such that police intelligence personnel can convert gathered information into meaningful intelligence outputs, purchase of communication and computer equipment for information capture and storage, especially in crime-prone areas, formulation of a Provincial Intelligence Plan with the purpose of information sourcing to deter criminal activities, and coordination between Bulacan PPO and Bulacan Provincial Government in the creation of a province-wide intelligence operations. The respondents from Bulacan PPO, local government officials of Bulacan, and members of the Barangay Information Networks differ on the opinions on the information sourcing capability of PPO, but have similar viewpoints on the problems encountered in information sourcing, except on systems and procedures. Moreover, the respondents also have the same recommendations to the problems in manpower resources, logistics and funds support, systems and procedures, and community and LGU support. The action plan for a strengthened campaign towards information sourcing in the province of Bulacan includes data analysis training, establishment of data storage system, formulation of a provincial intelligence plan for Bulacan and partnership with the LU for information sourcing.
Based on the conclusions of the study, the following were the recommendations: The Bulacan PPO must create information sourcing strategies, especially in the most crime-prone areas in Bulacan. Extensive training in data gathering and analysis must be applied to and prioritized to police personnel in the information sourcing in Bulacan. The Bulacan PPO must determine and acquire logistical requirements for information sourcing such that data obtained are translated into useful outputs. Formulation of information sourcing plan must be made with the cooperation among Bulacan PPO, members of the BINs, and the officials of the LGUs. This may be endorsed to the provincial council for the drafting of a Provincial Resolution in support thereof. More assets must be recruited and developed in critical areas of Bulacan, starting with the areas covered by this study. The Bulacan PPO must devise a scheme such that the Provincial Government be included in all aspect of the community-driven intelligence program. After all, they are the chief administrators of peace and order in Bulacan. Successful information sourcing strategies from other areas must be considered by Bulacan PPO. With limited personnel and resources, there may be some schemes that are greatly applicable in the province. Several critical sectors like business, transport and agricultural must also be included as information sources. The improved peace and order situation in the province can enhance their incomes and make their activities safer. Further research work must be conducted on information sourcing from the community in order to fully validate the findings of this study in other research areas.