Comparing the work performance and professionalism of police officers: criminology vs. non-criminology graduates and their theoretical and managerial implications in the Philippine law enforcement sector

The Philippine National Police (PNP), as the foremost law enforcement agency in the country, bears the critical responsibility of upholding public safety, maintaining order, preventing crime, and conducting investigations across the nation. Given the scope and complexity of these duties, the PNP necessitates a workforce with a broad array of competencies to effectively confront the dynamic challenges of policing within a democratic framework. However, the inclusion of both criminology and non-criminology graduates into its ranks has resulted in discernible disparities in work performance, largely attributable to the variations in academic training and the alignment of specialised skills with the demands of the police profession. This study is a descriptive-comparative research that aims to examine the significant difference in work performance and professionalism among uniformed personnel in the Philippine National Police (PNP) based on their educational qualifications, specifically comparing criminology and non-criminology graduates. Stratified proportionate sampling was followed in the selection of the 120 police officers assigned to the Third Congressional District of Cotabato Province. Data were collected using survey questionnaires and analysed using the mean and t-test. The study revealed that there is a significant difference in the work performance and professionalism of criminology and non-criminology graduates, although both of them demonstrated excellent work performance and professionalism. Finally, it was ascertained that police officers who are criminology graduates exhibited a slightly higher level of work performance and professionalism compared to police officers who are not criminology graduates. The findings suggest that enhancing criminology programmes with practical training, such as simulations and internships, can improve police professionalism and competencies, aligning with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by fostering more effective and accountable law enforcement. Integrating criminological principles into interdisciplinary education can bridge performance gaps in policing, supporting the development of stronger institutions that promote justice and public safety.