The PNPA was established on August 26, 1977, under Section 19, PD 1184 and was tasked to provide tertiary level education for Filipinos aspiring to be officers in the three bureaus of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Mainly for these reasons, the government opted to integrate all city and municipal police, fire, and jail services into a unified national organization.

The new INP was thus made responsible for public safety, protection of lives and properties, enforcement of laws, and maintenance of peace and order within the territorial limits of the Philippines.

It took necessary measures to prevent and control fires, investigate the commission of all crimes and offenses, and bring the offenders to justice while taking every necessary step to ensure public safety.

On August 26, 1977, PD 1184, otherwise known as the “INP Personnel Professionalization Law of 1977”, proposed the creation of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).

The speed that characterized the creation and establishment of the new PNPA indicated the institution's important role in the professional development of police officers in the country.

This was, however, resolved by having the Integrated National Police Training Command Headquarters at Fort Bonifacio serve as the surrogate organization of the academy.

Simultaneously with the formal establishment of the academy, the first batch of police cadets was chosen after a rigorous and painstaking selection process – including thorough medical and psychiatric examinations that took place on June 30, 1978.

During its initial years of existence, the academy limited the admission of its student cadets to the two-year Bachelor of Science in Public Safety (BSPS) for qualified members of the Integrated National Police (INP) only.

This meant that applicants outside the Integrated National Police (INP) services were not directly accepted into the cadetship program, given that those holding the rank of Patrolman and above who have been assessed as ready for admission would be granted entry.

In 1991, by the enactment of Republic Act 6975, otherwise known as the “Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990”, the INP became part of a new Philippine National Police, while its fire and jail branches were split, becoming both the Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, respectively, all three fall under the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Police Officer candidates attend a 4-year tertiary education course, allowing them to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Safety.