Scharmer’s U-Theory applied in Law Enforcement Practice

The Law Enforcement practice in the Philippines face various challenges in the pursuit to
attain its mandate to prevent crimes, maintain peace and order, and ensure public safety in the
country.

Considering the huge task undertaken by the Philippine National Police, there is a need to
acquire knowledge and skills in the delivery of its functions, duties and responsibilities. Thus,
the success and failure of the organization will depend on its human resources, how one
contribute what he learnt to attain its goal and aspiration.

In the performance of each task, one should deliver effectively and efficiently for the
betterment of the organization. Some task failed due to incompetence and lack the understanding
of the job assigned. This require a thorough coaching and training to improve his performance.
However, the challenge is on how the PNP Organization dissociate its personnel from this
habitual way of thinking? What contribution from this individual can make for the possible
solutions to achieve the vision of the organization?

Along this line, the PNP must established a program and strategy that are in tune with
what society actually needs. The challenge on the part of the PNP organization is to coupe-up
with the current state of its logistical and human resources such as information technology;
investigation equipment; and occupational or specialized training of its personnel among others
that will respond to the changes that are taking place in the world. These gap serves as the
obstacle in order to achieve its desired or future state to be an effective and credible Police force
and to establish a safe place to live and do business.

Likewise, weakness and threats must also be consider in order to achieved the vision of
the organization and subsequently these obstructions are lifted that will arises to change
effectively. By joining forces and working well together at all levels in PNP organizations each
personnel become capable of relinquishing established ideas, practices and even identities that
can be effective applied in law enforcement practice.

Through the adoption of Scharmer’s U-Theory by presencing the future potential of the
PNP Organization which can be realize completely towards reintegration and acceptance of new
and innovative ideas. The U-Theory will brought advantages in various programs undertaken by
the PNP Organization. This can be applied in one of the programs of the current administration
wherein the Philippine National Police is a member agency in the National Task Force to End
Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) specifically provided in Executive Order No. 70,
Series of 2018 signed by the President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The Executive
Order calls for the institutionalization of whole-of-nation approach to address the root causes of
insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions, and other armed conflicts and threat by
prioritizing and harmonizing the delivery of basic services and social development packages by
the government, facilitating society inclusivity, and ensuring active participation of all sectors of
the society in the pursuit of the country’s peace agenda.

As member of the law enforcement in attaining the sustainable peace nationwide, one
should enhance his capability to discharge his function according to the law and rules prescribed
in the Philippine National Police. As such, the implementation of this mandate shall prevail.
Suffice it to say, following the aforementioned law and rules and in the implementation of
Executive Order No. 70 will contribute for a lasting peace and security.

Therefore, the success factor s is to end the insurgency problem in the country so as to
achieve economic progress and to attain comfortable and secure life for all. These endeavors can
be realized through established programs and strategies to be undertaken by the PNP; such as but
not limited to the following:

To issue a Memorandum Circular directing all Public Safety Forces including Local
Police Units to identify insurgency conflict-affected and vulnerable communities;
 To designate a focal person and or dedicated personnel/leader to oversee the
implementation of said EO down to lower units of the PNP;

The law enforcement operation shall be confine within the white areas through
“Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo” (KKDAT) Program, targeting the vulnerable
students, teachers, farmers and other individuals that might be a subject of
recruitment by the left leaning group.

Sustained implementation of Law Enforcement through Information Operation

focusing on the activities and modus operandi of the insurgent; and

To ensure that this programs shall be implemented in all levels of the organization in
collaboration with other concern agencies, stakeholders and the community.

In addition, the long term vision of the government is geared toward its development to
attain its goal for the Filipino People to live life to the fullest through the realization of the
Philippines Ambisyon Natin 2040 which the PNP plays a vital role. Ambisyon Natin 2040
represents the collective long-term vision and aspirations of Filipinos for themselves and for the
country in the next 25 years, that is having a Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay para sa
lahat by 2040. By 2040, the Philippines is a prosperous middle-class society where no one is
poor. People live long and healthy lives and are smart and innovative. The country is a high-trust
society where families thrive in vibrant, culturally diverse, and resilient communities.”

One of the bed rocks or foundation strategies on sustainable economic growth is “ensure
security, public order and safety’ in which the PNP is one of the implementing government
agencies/organizations. Hence, the PNP must recognize the application of the U-Theory in
crafting an ideas and possible solutions concerning issues that might be a hindrance/obstacle in
the realization of the Philippines Ambisyon Natin 2040.
 The process must be align from the administration’s 0+10 point socio-economic agenda.
In which zero refers to the peace and order tolerance vs criminality, graft and corruption.
Wherein, the PNP plays significant role in the maintenance of peace and order in achieving
President Duterte’s priority Thrusts. The PNP “Strategic Plan” which focuses on delivering
services on crime prevention and suppression, and crime investigation are also aligned with the
PNP’s program thrusts and the Chief, PNP’s priority thrusts. Among these are the organizational
outcome on Crime prevention and suppression programs/strategies like:

Sustain aggressive police operations to enhance public order and safety in our
community.

Strengthen partnerships with local and international organizations in the fight against
criminality.

These innovations must be clearly appreciated by every member of the PNP organization.
Therefore, the advantages and success factors of applying the U-Theory is to establish a long
lasting connection with the community and bring back their trust and confidence to the PNP.

On the other hand, now a days it seems that nobody thrust anyone in authority which
became one of the main problems not only within the PNP organization but also in other
government institution/agency. The trust and confidence of the citizen has turned into a
malicious perception that individuals given a position or authority in the government are liar,
crooked, corrupt, cheaters and out-of-control security services among others. These factors has
largely contributes to poverty, criminal acts, and lack of opportunity particularly to the
underprivileged. These became a challenge to every member of the PNP being in the frontline of
public safety, security and other law enforcement services. However, for the past year some
members of the PNP has involved in many forms of criminal activities which tarnished the image
of the organization in general.
 The U-Theory suggested to develop an important tool to address such challenges not only
within the organization and its members but also for general public. Hence, every member of the
PNP shall recognize the following in order to regain and restore its image:

The PNP organization must develop a patriotic leader who will leads a new
generation of police force;

Learning from the future to achieve our goals in discharging our duties and
responsibilities with integrity, accountability and honesty which are the important
values to uphold;

To uphold our core values "maka-diyos, maka-kalikasan, maka-tao at maka-bansa" in

performing our given task;

Treat with respect the citizens regardless of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status and
religion; and

Exercise our functions with efficiency and effectively to attain the vision, mission and
goals of our organization.

Finally, being a Newly Appointed Police Commissioned Officer (NAPCO) we must

perform our task to the best of our ability; we must develop a true patriotic leader within us; we
must motivate and influence our subordinate; we must ready to do multi-tasking functions; and
to protect people and property and to serve our country at all cost.