OPERATIONAL RISK IDENTIFICATION AND RANKING IN POLICE OPERATIONS: PERSPECTIVE OF POLICE OFFICERS IN COTABATO POLICE PROVINCIAL OFFICE

Management

Police operations are inherently exposed to diverse risks arising from the nature of law enforcement duties, complex operational environments, and unpredictable human behavior. Effective policing therefore requires systematic identification and ranking of operational risks to ensure that potential threats are recognized, assessed, and prioritized. This study aimed to identify the operational risks encountered by police officers and determine their priority levels in police operations at the Cotabato Police Provincial Office. Using a descriptive quantitative research design, data were collected from police officers directly involved in police operations through a structured survey questionnaire. The instrument measured perceived operational risks in terms of their likelihood of occurrence and severity of potential impact, using a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics, including weighted means and a risk matrix approach, were used to analyze and rank the identified risks. Findings revealed that environmental and resource-related risks, such as difficult terrain or remote locations and lack of operational equipment, were perceived as having higher priority compared to information- and communication-related risks. In contrast, risks related to communication and intelligence were perceived as lower priority, suggesting generally adequate internal coordination mechanisms. The findings provide baseline empirical evidence that may support risk-informed operational planning, resource allocation, and policy development in provincial police offices.

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