The study sought to determine the absorptive capacity of the Philippine national police intelligence group in the application of data analytics in its core operations as a precursor to the eventual adaptation of big data in all police operations. Using qualitative approach, the research delved into the units absorptive capacity based on the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework developed by L. Tornatzky and M. Fleischer (cited in sun, et al.,2016).
The findings show that the absorptive capacity of the PNP IG to apply data analysis can be generally described as limited, inadequate and lacking in critical elements or inputs in terms of technological, organization, and environmental contents. The PNP IG also face myriad technological, organization, and environmental issues and challenges, such as the absence of a reliable and secure communication network, limited hardware and corresponding software for data analytics application and the presence of disparate or standalone information system; limited awareness and competency of PNP IG personnel on data analytics, the limited number of computer-trained personnel and the lack of dedicated team or staff; and the so-called silo mentally of police personnel as a challenge for the extensive application of data analytics. Finally, the PNP IG will need to pursue particular measures and initiatives, such as a comprehensive process analysis to identify, determine, and quantify the computer hardware and software that they PNP IG should acquire to make the unit capable to apply big data science in its various operations; a program of trainings and seminars, hiring of additional IT specialist and creation of a dedicated team of data analytics personnel; and the issuance of the comprehensive policy that will introduce, institutionalize and integrate the application of big data science in police operations.

The study concludes with a proposed roadmap that the PNP IG may adopt in the integration and institutionalization of data analytics in its core operations.