PREMATURE WITHDRAWAL FROM PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP) SERVICE: PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS ON THE COMPELLING FORCES FOR A STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN

Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCOs) serve as the backbone of the Philippine National Police (PNP), performing frontline duties such as law enforcement, patrolling, investigation, and community policing. However, premature resignation and early withdrawal from service have become growing concerns affecting organizational effectiveness, morale, and public service delivery. This study aimed to determine the compelling forces that influence PNCO personnel to leave the PNP prematurely and to propose a strategic action plan to address fast turnover within the organization. Qualitative-phenomenological research design was used, and purposive sampling was employed to select 10 former PNP personnel who voluntarily left or prematurely withdrew from service. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and analyzed using Colaizzis seven-step phenomenological method. The majority of participants were female, married, and held the rank of Police Corporal with 4 to 9 years of service experience. Findings revealed eighteen (18) themes grouped into four major thematic clusters: Institutional and Organizational Dynamics, Occupational Health and Personal Well-being, Economic and Career Growth Drivers, and Ethical and Environmental Pressures. The most common factors influencing premature withdrawal included administrative cases, stressful working conditions,work life imbalance, lack of organizational support, limited career growth, financial instability, political interference, and corruption issues.