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Police in China

NCJ Number
97359
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1985) Pages: 111-115
Author(s)
R H Ward
Date Published
1985
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article reports on philosophical and organizational changes which have occurred in China's centralized police system over the last decade.
Abstract
Increased emphasis on better selection and training of police security officials is reported; efforts to improve both the personnel and the technological aspects of policing and to 'modernize' the police service are examined. The various organizational units within the public security service are noted. The most prestigious assignment is to the criminal investigation division; the least prestigious, to the traffic division or neighborhood police station. The role of the neighborhood police station is defined; duties of the officers assigned there are addressed. District stations in larger cities are discussed, and their greater access to technology and equipment is noted. Forensic science operations in the major cities are described; duties of traffic police at the district level and armed police at district or municipal stations are delineated. Municipal police headquarters, the central location from which policy is developed and disseminated, are described. Additionally, the monolithic nature of policing in China and the establishment of a new Ministry of Internal Security are noted. The article highlights increased police emphasis on community relations and crime prevention.