A TOTAL of 133 policemen have been dropped from the service by the National Police during the past six months owing to various offenses.

Another 525 were subjected to disciplinary action during the same period, as the force intensified its drive to weed out misfits in its ranks.

“Just as we are responsive to the morale and welfare needs of police personnel, and quick to give due recognition for exemplary performance of duty, the National Police is also swift and decisive in addressing issues on misconduct and breach of discipline,” the National Police chief, Director General Raul Bacalzo, said.

Records of the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management reveal that the 133 were dismissed from December 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011.

They were dismissed for various offenses ranging from grave misconduct, serious irregularities and involvement in criminal activities. 

Among those dismissed, 119 were from regional commands, while 14 were from the National Support Units.

Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr., National Police spokesman, said all the benefits due the dismissed personnel have been forfeited.

Aside from firing the 133, the force also imposed sanctions against 525 personnel who were penalized with demotion in rank, suspension, forfeiture of salary, reprimand, restriction to quarters and withholding of privileges.

Cruz said the 658 personnel subjected to disciplinary action were among 1,412 personnel who were investigated and charged in 1,435 cases handled by the different summary hearing boards over the past six months.        

“All these 1,435 administrative cases stemmed from complaints which were all investigated and acted upon at the different levels of command, some of the respondents were meted non-disciplinary sanctions while others were either exonerated or their cases dropped,” he said.

With the dismissal and imposition of sanctions to erring policemen, Cruz said there are only about 199 administrative cases that are still awaiting resolution from the summary hearing boards, and these cases are mostly carry-over from the previous years.