The long arm of the law is going undercover in Beijing to ensure
people are safe in the city's many public places. In a determined
effort to combat street crimes such as theft, fraud and drug
dealing a 1,200-strong plainclothes police team was?officially
established yesterday by Beijing's public security
bureau.?
The officers wearing everyday clothes will be deployed across
the city but especially in public places such as railway and bus
stations, hotels, restaurants and busy business districts. However,
their movements could be changed in response to reports made on the
110 emergency hotline.
Ma Xichu, deputy director of the bureau's criminal police unit,
said Beijing had a comparatively low crime rate but did witness a
significant number of street crimes. "This special team will be an
essential supplement to the city's existing police force," he said.
"It'll help reduce street crime as offenders won't be able to
identify plainclothes officers."
Ma said the team would assist during the China-Africa
Cooperation Forum next month. He said more than 4,000 foreign
guests would gather in Beijing for the event and ensuring their
safety was the bureau's responsibility.
Currently Beijing has around 600 plainclothes officers. The new
team marked the establishment of systematic policing in Beijing by
plainclothes officers, said Ma. All those involved were required to
have at least three years' city police experience and would also
undergo special training before joining the team. Ma explained that
when necessary the officers would be permitted to carry
firearms.
The team has received a positive response from residents. Seven
out of 10 people surveyed by China Daily said the initiative
would make them feel safer.
However, one resident surnamed Zhou, questioned whether the
officers might be tempted to abuse their power. "The bureau should
issue detailed supervision regulations for plainclothes officers,"
he said. "And the current number of?plainclothes policemen is
far from enough for a city with over 10 million inhabitants."
(China Daily October 18, 2006)
