How to Resolve a Police Clearance Hit Status in the Philippines?
Police clearance is an essential document in the Philippines. It is crucial in a Filipino’s personal, legal, and professional life. However, some individuals may face the HIT issue during the application process, which may cause delay and uncertainty. It is, therefore, necessary to understand the police clearance HIT status and ways to resolve it.
A HIT status means your name matches someone in the NPCS database with a criminal record or a pending case. This may sound alarming, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are in trouble.
In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about a HIT status- what a HIT status means, why it happens, and most importantly is how to resolve it effectively.
What does HIT Status mean for the Police Clearance, and Why Does it Happen?
Meaning of HIT Status for the Police Clearance?
For police clearance, a HIT status is like a checkpoint in the verification process. It means that your name is matched with someone who does not have a clean record in the NPCS database. These records could be a pending criminal case, warrants, complaints, or any charges that are hindering your police clearance application process. Because they are linked with your name.
Now, to solve the checkpoint in the verification process and to prove that you are not the one who does not have a clear past, you will need to take important steps. The steps may include taking guidelines from concerned officers for its solution, providing supporting documents, and contacting the police station consistently.
Its purpose is to pause the application process and verify further whether the person with the HIT in the NPCS database is really you or someone else. It is to manually review the details to ensure public safety and accuracy in background checks.
Common Reasons for Getting HIT Status:
Knowing and understanding the reasons behind the HIT status can help you to solve it effectively. Let’s discuss them one by one.
It means that there is a person who has a name similar to yours, and he/she has a criminal record or charges in the NPCS database. This name similarity can trigger a HIT status for your application process.
Providing your surname is a compulsory requirement in the application process for the police clearance. Sometimes, having the same surname may also cause a HIT issue for you. If your surname matches with a surname of another person having a red signal in the National Police Clearance System database.
Sometimes, having the same personal information like date of birth, address with a derogatory person may also cause a HIT status for your application process.
A police clearance certificate demands 100% correct information. The information should match the information on your valid IDs. If, due to any reason, you change your name or any personal information in your IDs and there will be a change in the details. It will be considered it as a HIT, as the PNP deals such cases suspiciously.
If you have pending cases, whether it is of low standard or have a serious allegation. You must expect a HIT. Without going through a legal process and the resolution of the case, it will affect your status.
If you had any type of criminal case or charges, and you resoved it legally. But, it still apears in the NPCS database. You can face this issue.
How to Resolve Police Clearance HIT Status in the Philippines?
If you find that your application has a HIT status, you need to contact the concerned authority, provide supporting documents, cooperate during the verification process, follow up, and wait for clearance release.
Contact your concerned police station. Enquire about the reason for the HIT status and take guidelines from the concerned officers for its solution. Get a proper understanding of why your clearance got a HIT, how to resolve it.
Note down all the guidelines and follow up as instructed. It will speed up the process of removal of the flagged status.
Collect supporting documents that help to resolve the reason for the HIT. It may be identity documents, court records, or old police clearance certificates.
For example, if the reason for the HIT status is related to the name, surname, or incorrect personal information, you need to provide personal identity documents like government-issued IDs or proof of address to prove your correct identification.
If it is related to a resolved case, despite its legal resolution, but is still present in the PNP. record. You need to provide the court documents to remove the status for the application process.
Answer all the questions clearly and truthfully. Explain any name similarity or solved case, if applicable.
Present all the required documents for further verification.
After providing the supporting documents and fulfilling other requirements, keep in contact with the authorities to get timely updates about the progress of your case. Follow up in person or via phone where you applied.
Once the verification process is completed, your police clearance will be issued. It will now show” No Derogatory Records Found” or similar wordings.
Effects of HIT Status on Police Clearance Application?
A hit status will significantly impact your police clearance application. It will delay the process of verification due to further investigation and submission of documents. Which can impact your purpose of getting it. Let’s discuss the possible impacts of the hit status for you.
A police clearance is one of the compulsory requirements for job applications. If you need it urgently and your application gets hit. You will not be able to apply for it. So it leads to missed opportunities.
You can also face travel restrictions as some visas and travel applications need police clearance.
You will need no criminal record application if you are going to register a business in the Philippines. In case of no clearance, you will not be able to process the business registration in the Philippines.
A hit status can be frustrating and stressful. It may cause multiple visit to the police station, collection of documents which will complicate the application process and cause a delay.
What Can You Do to Prevent HIT Status on Police Clearance in the Future?
You can minimize the chances of HIT status for your police clearance application by considering the following tips:
While applying for a police clearance, make sure to provide your correct personal information like your full name, surname, address, and other relevant details. It should be the same as present on your government-issued IDs.
If you make changes in your personal information for any reason, do inform the authorities about it. Besides, keep the related documents as proof so that you can provide it if required by the concerned authorities.
If you successfully resolved any type of charges or cases. Take the necessary steps to remove your name from the database by contacting the concerned authority.
Always provide your full name(first name, middle name, and last name). It will reduce the chances of matching your name with someone who has having similar name as yours.
For example, if a person has the same first and last name as yours, and he/she has a HIT record. You will not get a HIT as your middle name is different.
If you have a name that is common in the Philippines. Verify it carefully with the authorities to avoid any issue in the future.
FAQs:
Conclusion:
In a nutshell, the HIT status on your police clearance is not a verdict, but it is a checkpoint in the verification process.
Dealing with a HIT status on your police clearance can be frustrating, but it is a manageable situation. Understanding the reason behind the status and follow the recommended step will help to speed up the process of its resolution.
Always provide accurate information, be patient, and follow up respectfully. Providing supporting documents and cooperation with the department personnel, your clearance will be released once the issue is resolved.
