Of the many Batang 641 produced by the Philippine College of Criminology (PCCR) over the years, only a handful have truly personified the core values of Leadership and Excellence complementary to the school’s motto to serve for the good of the public and the country. Among that select few is our featured alumnus for the month of October, Eastern Police District Internal Affairs Service (EPDIAS) District Superintendent Police Lieutenant Colonel Williard Dela Cruz Vinas. This October, PLtCol Vinas guested in the regular online show “Kapihan sa 641” hosted by the Office of Alumni Affairs, sharing his expertise on Administrative Case Proceedings in the Philippine National Police (PNP). 

The multi-awarded and decorated PLtCol Vinas is a full-blooded Batang 641, having finished BS Criminology (1998, Cum Laude), MS Criminology (2004), and Ph.D. Criminology (2014) in PCCR. With his drive for continuous improvement and learning, he also finished a second Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA, 2001), a second Master’s Degree in Public Safety Administration from the Philippine Public Safety College (2022) is a Candidate for Graduation for Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University in Bacolor, Pampanga (2022). On top of his academic credentials, PLtCol Vinas is also a Registered Criminologist (2002), a two-time Civil Service Passer (Sub-professional 1998, Professional 2004), a National Police Commission Inspector (2003) and a Senior Executive (2017).

Upon graduation from the PNPA, he displayed his leadership prowess as he rose through the ranks. As Police Lieutenant, he was part of the Special Action Force (SAF), National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Regional Patrol Unit, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Galas Police Station, and the Inspection and Audit Division of the National Internal Affairs Service in Camp Crame. Upon promotion to Police Captain, he became Chief of the Audit, Inspection, and Assessment Sections of the National Headquarters of the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) Inspection and Audit Division. When he became Police Major, he was part of the QCPD IAS and the United Nations Mission in Timor L’este, designated as International Investigator for the Serious Crimes Investigation Team of the International Criminal Court.

Being designated as the Provincial Superintendent of Pampanga PIAS, he was promoted to Police Lieutenant Colonel, and was transferred at the Legal Affairs Division at National IAS, Camp Crame to become a Summary Hearing Officer. After completing the last requirement for his next promotion, finishing Mandatory Schooling of PSOSEC, he was assigned as the Provincial Superintendent of Basilan PIAS and was also designated as the Officer-In-Charge of RIASBAR. He was later designated as the Deputy Director of RIAS3, designated as the OIC of SPDIAS, and was transferred to Nueva Vizcaya PIAS, before being assigned to his current role as EPDIAS District Superintendent.

Among his most prestigious service awards are the Badge of Honor and the Letter of Commendation from the PNP, the IAS Inspector of the Year (2006), IAS Junior Police Commissioned Officer of the Year (2009), and IAS Outstanding Provincial Superintendent (2016). He was also awarded the PNPA Alumni Association’s Lakan Award in 2014 and was chosen as one of the Outstanding Criminologists of the Professional Criminologists Association of the Philippines for the same year.

PLtCol Vinas is also known for being part of the team that arrested Pampanga Provincial Police Office Most Wanted Person PO2 Antonio Barreras in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija.