While most citizens still see policemen as tough guys who patrol the streets with guns and handcuffs on the ready, the ITMS is steadily transforming these "toughies" into computer-savvy professionals who rely on IT systems in their day-to-day work.

Headquartered in Camp Crame in Quezon City, the ITMS is primarily responsible for providing technology support for the many units and offices under the PNP. It looks for the IT hardware, network infrastructure, information system, software and online tool that best fits their specific needs, and makes these available to the concerned unit and office.

"With the advent of technology, organizations now invest in infrastructure such as these to help them in their daily operations. In the PNP setting, ITMS plays this vital role," says Police Senior Superintendent Joel Victor V. Canapi, ITMS deputy director. "ITMS gives support by providing the PNP's units and offices with technical experts in digital forensics, computer and hardware maintenance, information security, website development, project management, systems and networks."

ITMS was established way before the emergence of cloud computing, social media and even the Internet. Created in 1965, its first job was to provide the police force with a system for collating crime-related data. Then still called the Philippine Constabulary Data Processing Unit, this newly-formed unit used its database to aid crime studies for different law enforcement agencies locally.

Over the years, as more technology became available in cyberspace, ITMS has continued to arm the PNP with more modern systems and infrastructure. To date, there are over 30 operational and administrative systems that bolster the efficiency of the various units and offices of the PNP.