A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE LEVEL READINESS OF TAYABAS POLICE STATION AND LUCENA POLICE STATION ON CRIME INCIDENTS AS PERCEIVED BY SELECTED COMMUNITY RESIDENTS

The study examined the comparative study of the level of readiness of the Tayabas Police Station and Lucenaq Police Station on Crime Incidents as Perceived by selected community residents. The study employed descriptive type of research wherein the questionnaire is the main guide. Statistical tools were used to measure and analyze the results of the study. The study showed that the profile of the police respondents comprise an average age of 26 years old years, males, were single, college graduates, PO1, and who were 3 years in service on the average. In contrast, most of the resident respondents have an average age of 30 years old, females, were married, college graduates, laborers, and who 7 years in service on the average were. Moreover, the respondents agreed on the initial response of the police to crime incidents happened in the area. They exemplified that the police conduct preliminary interview of witnesses to determine what and how crime was committed; the police provide emergency first aid for those injured at the scene and evacuate them to the hospital, prepare to take the Dying Declaration of severely injured person if any, prevent entry of persons into the cordoned area, and turn-over the crime scene to investigator-on-case. In addition, the police sometimes follow the crime investigation standard operating procedures in both Lucena and Tayabas Police Stations. They elicited that the police assume responsibility over the crime scene upon arrival, document (Photography, Sketching note taking, videography) the scene, and collection handling of evidence by SOCO or Forensic Investigator; the police “examine the recovered physical evidence by PNP Crime Laboratory SOCO; and police conduct assessment of the crime scene. Also, the level of readiness of Lucena City and Tayabas City Police Stations to crime incidents in their community is high. They signified that the PNP gives priority to a call for social action, and make known to the community that crime prevention is everybody’s concern; the PNP supports Anti-Organized Crime Operations in the area; the PNP varies their patrol methods and strategies depending upon a given circumstance or situation, location, and behavior of people within a community, the PNP applies Team Policing in case of extensive investigation, surveillance or patrolling is necessary, and the PNP complies and abides with the Campaign Against Illegal Activities. And, there exists a significant difference between the level of readiness of Lucena City and Tayabas City Police Stations.