On February 28, Shanghai furthered the restructure of its law enforcement provision with the separation of traffic and patrolling police.

Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau said that the number of patrolling police will increase from 4,100 to 5,000 officers. If crime increases in a particular district, they will be able to send in additional plainclothes officers to that area.?

Chen Fukuan, director of the political office of Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau, said traffic police will enforce the Road Traffic Security Law, reduce traffic jams and prevent traffic accidents whilst patrolling police will maintain security and crime prevention on the streets, though there would still be some flexibility and overlap where necessary.

He Pinwei, director of Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau headquarters, added that Shanghai will transfer more police to grass-roots level. At the same time, better-equipped patrol cars with GPS will be used.

Police officers are still in short supply in Shanghai.

(China.org.cn by Chen Lin March 7, 2005)