Human Rights and the Law Enforcement in the Criminal Justice System: A case study

Policing and the criminal justice system would only encourage the public's trust once dignity and equality are upheld in protecting and serving the community. This study aims to reveal how police conform to the Human Rights Law, specific freedom from cruel, inhumane, and degrading punishment or treatment to formulate a more Intensified Prevention Plan (IPP) based on the evidence. A qualitative study approach has been adopted, and interviews were conducted among seven (7) participants from the San Jose del Monte Police Station. The results show that the protection of all individuals was based on the guiding principles mandated in the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the Anti-Torture Act of 2009, which were valid methods of proving the existence of general law principles. The public apathy and advertisement of exaggerated information among Police officers implicate a negative impact on the whole organization in the exercise of protecting the rights of all individuals. Recognizing the innovative approach to exercising their sworn duties and responsibilities among the community and giving them a simple value of appreciation for their good deeds are already countless gratitude in every heart of all uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police.


INTRODUCTION
Amnesty International organization's global human rights advocates emphasize policingrelated issues in law enforcement, particularly the police, while implementing their actions aligned with human rights (Moore & Dawes, 2022). The work of the police reached the center of gradually more focused attention by human rights advocates, which view the endeavor as conforming human rights of those that experience the influence of police officers on responding and dealing with the people.
Nevertheless, the duties and responsibilities performed by Police officers is a multifaceted matter and adopting every situation which is only exclusive of a satisfactory level of awareness and understanding of the risk in the lives of the police in the performance of their duty, both to the credibility of the suspect and the work efficiency, public safety of the people on those whose rights are seeking for their protection and service. Collantes-Celador and Schwandner-Sievers ( Journal of Advances in Humanities Research ISSN: 2948-4863 Vol. 2, No.3, 2023 United Frontiers Publisher 2 The massive extra-judicial killings and disappearances of individuals who are persons of interest in violating human rights in the Philippines catch the attention of all human rights advocates all over the globe. Concerning the pressure of human rights challenges and issues, the Philippines experienced all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural discouraging conditions. The government in all nations has a lot of means to provide all ways to provide solutions on all problems and issues on all human rights violations. Nevertheless, it depends on the desire and eagerness of the government. As police officers, it is their task to implement the law and exercise their sworn duties and responsibilities to protect and serve the public. Brinks (2007) is concerned over the human rights defenders and advocates, specifically the suspect, usually cross with the duties of the police officers, making the point that the blame relies on the hand of all police officers. However, human rights defenders always look for any point that police officers are interfering with rather than facilitating. In some incidents, human rights defenders draw attention to police officers in adverse situations and difficulties and act as mediators among the citizens whose human rights they are looking for is to help and secure the dignity of the police officers. White and Weisburd (2018) stated that police officers in their work field often encounter issues, challenges, and difficulties in solving any crisis. The level of their security among the public depends on how they are also put under force to intensify and strengthen their work because they are constantly being criticized for their service. In circumstances that the leniency is implemented in the exercise of police discretion, it is the public that critic the poor performance of the police officer; on the other hand, in the instance that the police officer is strictly implementing the laws, it is also the public that will state that the police officers are abusing the authority. Police officers must determine where to place themselves to gain people's satisfaction with their performance. The media's widespread influence on national television and radio, including social media, gives exaggerated news and information that would result in the negative side of police officers (Lipsky, 2010).
Moreover, the concern of the public will give an idea to the administration of the police organization to formulate and develop new approaches and innovative methods in performing their duties and responsibilities, such as intensified training after admission to the organization, updated seminars applicable for the professional conduct and human rights, strategical method of community approach, humane community policing and emerging strategies of traditional and technological ways of enforcing the law. The use of information technology in the police organization will pave the way to making upto-date strategies for coping with issues and difficulties in their duty (Chan, 2001). Therefore, this study aims to investigate how police conform to human rights law, specific freedom from cruel, inhumane, and degrading punishment or treatment to formulate a more intensified Prevention Plan (IPP) based on the evidence. The study has the following questions; Latin America. The study found that the value of justice-involved on the right, equal and just treatment, protection of human rights against any forms of abuse and discrimination, and the awareness that the police represent society. Martin (2022) stated that the bond between the strong-arm government and the individual is at the foundation of the human rights concept. Every human being serves as a form of a coherent representative whose sovereignty, independence, pride, and abilities base essential benefits examined, improved and safeguarded through legal entitlement, which gives rise to duties of leniency and protection by the state. In implementing duties, the value, morals, conduct and ethics of a police officer should always be shown to the community. The services of the police officers, such as crime prevention, suppression and ensuring public safety, must be prioritized for the value of human rights. Quismorio and Recuenco (2021) quoted the former Chief of the Philippine National Police, who claimed and called the victory of the entire organization on the Trust Rating and Approval Rating of the Philippine National Police, which arises from 22nd in the ranking after six (6) month rises on seventh ranking. The number depicts the remarkable efforts of all police officers in all their life-risking duties. According to Gau and Paoline (2020), improve and making way for improving police sector should actively participate, and involvement in the communities could be hindered, provided that the police officers themselves reflect that police officers always give the community a fair, equal and without any means of bias or discrimination. Schultz (2019) stated that "freedom of speech" by the media is always an issue when the negative behaviours of police officers are discussed in the media.
However, not all police officers are attributed to the harmful deeds of other organization members. The media can significantly influence the public, good or bad, depending on the news report they will air. Some stations of the newscasting claim that the media or press reports some stories have provided evidence that they are wrong and use exaggerated details or pieces of information, which will cause negative public feedback among police officers. Police officers are in a spot to set restrictions and boundaries for the people. Preferably individuals that were persons of interest or offenders. The provision of limits and boundaries should only be made depending on the offender's action, and it is Journal of Advances in Humanities Research ISSN: 2948-4863 Vol. 2, No.3, 2023 United Frontiers Publisher 4 necessary to apply them (Brinks, 2007). The concern of the public will give an idea to the administration of the police organization to formulate and develop new approaches and innovative methods in performing their duties and responsibilities, such as intensified training after admission to the organization, updated seminars applicable for the professional conduct and human rights, strategical method of community approach, humane community policing and emerging strategies of traditional and technological ways of enforcing the law.

Ethical Statement
Ethical approval was required, and before conducting an interview with the Persons under Philippine National Police Custody, written consent of ethical approval was obtained from the adviser/school and the Chief of Police (COP) of San Jose del Monte City Police Station. The unstructured interview of the participants was conducted in a physical set-up (Face-to-face). Both parties strictly observed health protocols during the conduct of the interview. The participants allowed the research documentation, such as photo, audio, and video recording, by affixing their signature on the letter of consent the researcher gave. In addition, all information gathered during the interview was put into notes-taking for reference purposes. The involvement of all seven (7) participants in the research study was given with their free submission, voluntarily and without any forms of payments, fees, rewards or in return for the favor. The researcher translated the consent letter into vernacular words (Tagalog) to clearly and easily understand. Informing the participants' right to withdraw and refuse photos/audio/video recordings were highlighted. The confidentiality of all the information provided by the participants was highly noted.

Research Design
The study's researcher used a qualitative type which utilizes the Case Study method. This case study applies methods of conducting interviews with the participants and analyzing the instruments used. These are the primary and secondary sources to obtain pieces of information and data for the result and findings of the study that aims to measure the seven (7)

Treatment of Data
The researcher employed a thematic analysis in this study, gathering information and answers from seven (7) participants. The demographic profile of the participants in this study revealed that there were a total of seven (7) male individuals. Notably, all of these participants were currently unemployed Journal of Advances in Humanities Research ISSN: 2948-4863 Vol. 2, No.3, 2023 United Frontiers Publisher 5 during the study. In terms of their ages, a range of different age groups was represented within the sample. The ages of the participants were as follows: 23, 30, 32, 30, 40, 59, and 32. These varying ages provide a diverse perspective on the research topic, encompassing different stages of life and potential variations in experiences. All questions asked to the participants were related to the study and provided statements based on their perspectives and personal views.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Seven (7)  Results revealed that all the participants had a positive impression and feedback from the police officers. It is good to note that the participants trust the police officers and experience fair treatment even though they belong to the lower class of society. It could be inferred from the results that the police officers were also extending referrals to the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) to find a job and community extension programs in their barangay, which impacted the participants' hearts, including their families. The PNP Barangayanihan of the San Jose del Monte Police City Station Office changes the community's mindset from the public's negative apathy to the police which is abiding the PNP Core Values "makaDiyos, makabayan, makatao, and makakalikasan". ISSN: 2948-4863 Vol. 2, No.3, 2023 United Frontiers Publisher The study comprises two main questions; therefore, the study mainly focused on the questions during the interview, and themes were established from the participant's answers. All of them stated they had a good experience in lock-up jail in terms of the treatment received from the police, they do not violate the human rights rules, and they treat us equally and fairer. In the follow-up question, respondents stated that they all agreed they found police practical in following human rules in the lock-up jail and taking for the community's welfare was given to the best the police officers can achieve and the willingness to help the community of San Jose 24/7. This study was limited to a small number of interviews. A large sample of data would help to answer insight; also, the prisoner who was interviewed did not have a high level of offense, so further study suggested deepening the policing and highly offended criminals.

Journal of Advances in Humanities Research
Ethical Statement: This study received written consent of ethical approval from the San Jose del Monte City Police Station, the Chief of Police, and the school advisory board. All participants were formally informed, and their consent was taken, which is confidential.