The increasing complexity of public safety and community policing has encouraged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to recruit professionals from diverse academic disciplines, including education. In Catanduanes, a growing number of education degree holders have entered police service despite limited formal preparation in criminology, creating a need to understand their motivations, job performance, and workplace experiences. This descriptive–comparative quantitative study examined the motivational factors, perceived performance, and workplace challenges of 79 education degree holders serving as police officers in Catanduanes. Data were gathered through a structured survey questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The findings showed that respondents were generally highly motivated to join the PNP, with intrinsic motivations exerting a stronger influence than extrinsic factors. Their overall performance was rated as outstanding, particularly in work management and professional responsibilities. Despite these positive outcomes, respondents reported serious workplace challenges related to specialized criminology competencies, career progression opportunities, and limitations associated with lateral entry policies. Significant variations in motivation, performance, and workplace challenges were observed across selected demographic characteristics, particularly rank and length of service. The study contributes to the growing literature on non-traditional entrants in law enforcement by demonstrating that education graduates can effectively perform police functions while facing unique professional adaptation challenges. The findings underscore the importance of targeted capacity-building programs, competency enhancement initiatives, and inclusive career development policies to support workforce diversification and strengthen organizational effectiveness within the PNP.

Keywords: motivational factors; perceived performance; workplace challenges; education degree holders; Philippine National Police; workforce diversification