The PNP Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA) has warned agencies providing training to private security personnel against using photographs of policemen in their promotional materials.
In a recent memorandum to private security training agencies (PSTAs), SOSIA said the use of such pictures may be misconstrued as the PNP endorsing these training agencies.
“This is to remind and advise all licensed private security training agencies to refrain from using photographs, images, or any form of visual representation of uniformed or non-uniformed per-sonnel of the Philippine National Police in their promotional materials, including but not limited to online advertisements, brochures, flyers, banners, and social media posts,” SOSIA said.
“Such use may mislead the public by creating the false impression of official endorsement or affiliation with the PNP, which is not allowed unless expressly authorized by proper authority,” SOSIA added.
SOSIA is the regulatory office dealing with private security professionals and private security agencies and ensures their compliance with the Private Security Services Industry Act.
SOSIA, in the memorandum, directed the PSTAs to “immediately remove any promotional mate-rials currently in use that individually display PNP personnel without prior written consent and official approval.”
It also ordered the PSTAs to “refrain from posting, uploading, or distributing any future adver-tisements featuring PNP personnel, insignia, or uniforms.”
“Ensure compliance with this advisory to avoid any administrative sanctions or the revocation of License to Operate,” SOSIA also said.
SOSIA said it expects the cooperation of the PSTAs in upholding the integrity and impartiality of the PNP, as well as protecting the image of the police force and the private security industry.
“SOSIA will conduct periodic audits and evaluations of all PSTAS to ensure compliance with this requirement,” the agency said in the memorandum.
