Challenges Encountered by Iriga City Police Personnel in Solving Crimes

This research investigated the investigative hurdles encountered by police personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Iriga City in solving crimes. Specifically, it examined the difficulties experienced across five key dimensions: evidence handling, witness cooperation, crime scene documentation, information management, and compliance with legal and procedural mandates. Adopting a descriptive-quantitative survey design triangulated with qualitative Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), the study administered a validated researcher-made instrument to sixty-nine (69) police personnel performing operational and investigative functions.
The empirical findings revealed that the respondents experienced "Major Challenges" across all five examined dimensions, culminating in an overall weighted mean of 3.84. The primary systemic bottlenecks included witnesses' reluctance to cooperate due to fear of retaliation (WM = 4.17), the increasing complexity of collecting and analyzing digital evidence (WM = 3.94), unauthorized crime scene contamination (WM = 3.99), and extensive legal documentation requirements (WM = 3.87). Statistical analysis proved these challenges exert a "Major Effect" (WM = 3.97) on crime resolution, leading to investigation delays, ballooning operational costs, and an increased risk of case dismissals.
To address these empirical gaps, the study developed the Integrated Investigative Enhancement Strategy (IIES), a structured action plan built on four pillars: Community-Witness Protection, Technical Modernization, Scene Integrity Control, and Administrative Streamlining. The study concludes that the institutionalization of the IIES is essential to improving case resolution rates, maximizing conviction efficiency, and restoring community trust in the criminal justice system of Iriga City.

Investigative Challenges, Iriga City, Police Personnel, Evidence-Based Policing, Integrated Investigative Enhancement Strategy, Witness Non-Cooperation, Digital Forensics

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