Quote:(BangkokPost.com) - Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont insisted Thursday that police reform plan is crucial and must be done.

"It's the area that needs improvement," Gen Surayud said.

The reform plan, approved by the cabinet on Tuesday, received strong opposition from some police officers, both active and retired. The premier said the scheme will decentralise police power to regional offices, which will improve efficiency of the force.

Gen Surayud flew to Phetchabun this morning, but there were no police officers escorting him, which was unusual.

Quote:Former police chiefs close ranks
Reforms condemned as politically motivated

WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM ANUCHA CHAROENPO

Former police chiefs turned out in force yesterday to defend the status quo following the cabinet's endorsement of two bills which would bring drastic changes to the police force. They decried the proposed police reform plan and questioned the timing of the proposal, which they claimed lacked police input and could be politically motivated.

Under the plan, much authority would be channelled away from the Bangkok headquarters to regional police offices and an independent body would be set up to investigate complaints about police misconduct. The police force, now supervised by the Prime Minister's Office, may also be placed under the Justice Ministry.

Former police chiefs and senior officers met at the Police Club in Bangkok to debate the looming changes.

Pol Gen Sawat Amornwiwat said the plan was not about decentralising power. He linked the changes to the Sept 19 coup in which police were seen by the military as being uncooperative.

''In past coups, police were brought in because they [the military] were afraid police would fight them. The only way to keep police under control is to restructure the force and reduce its power and role,'' Pol Gen Sawat said.

He believed criminal justice system policy should be decided by an elected government, not the interim government, and noted that the police reform proposal had not been put to public hearings.

The better pay and welfare that the reform plan promises was a ''mere bait''.

Pol Gen Pracha Promnok said he saw no point in the police force being placed under the Justice Ministry.

The reform proposal, which he described as a ''matter of life and death'' for police, had been proposed to the cabinet even though the issue was not on the agenda, he said.

''When there is a shift in power, it is the police they are after. The police force is under the prime minister, who can issue rapid orders. There is no need for drastic legal changes,'' he said.

Pol Gen Pornsak Durongkhavibul, a former deputy police chief, said the administration of the police force was a mess because of political interference.

He doubted the Police Reform Committee, the architect of the policy, had a proper understanding of the force.

The committee is headed by Pol Gen Vasit Dejkunjorn, a retired deputy police chief.

Former police spokesman Achirawit Supanphesat said the police force was unlikely to benefit from the two draft bills governing the reforms. He said a police input to the policy was essential.

Police association president Pol Gen Wisut Kittiwat said the results of yesterday's discussion would be submitted to the government, the Police Reform Committee, the Council of State, which is vetting the two bills, and the National Legislative Assembly.

Council for National Security chairman Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin denied the military had anything to do with the two bills.

''The CNS had no idea about this. It is between the government and the Justice Ministry,'' he said.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont shrugged off criticism that the reform plan was rushed, with little police input.

''It really is time for improvement. It would take so much time if opinions were to be scouted for,'' he said.

Campaign for Human Rights coordinator Metha Maskhao welcomed the reforms but said all parties concerned should try to better serve the justice system.

The public was frightened not only of criminals but also of police, because their use of power was not subject to scrutiny and check-and-balance.

''What should be considered is how we should define the police role and power.

''Ranks are unnecessary and police should be working as part of the criminal justice system. The police force should not have absolute power or act as if it is a court,'' he said.

University lecturers on the justice process were concerned the former police chiefs had misinterpreted the planned reforms.

Atcharaphan Charassawat, of Mahidol University's humanities and social sciences faculty, said it was possible they did not understand the principles of the plan, which was aimed at improving the quality of life of police nationwide so they could fully serve the people.

She is a member of the sub-committee on the development of police stations under the reform proposal.

Ms Atcharaphan said the plan did not state that the Police Cadet School in Nakhon Pathom province would be dissolved and the Royal Police Office placed under the Justice Ministry.

''These two issues might be raised by opponents of the policy in order to mislead most police into believing that the committee intends to undermine their institution and their school. We have never had such a thought,'' she said.

Chatuporn Banchuen, of Kasetsart University's faculty of social sciences, said the police should not jump to conclusions that the reform plan was final and irreversible. The proposal was still open to amendment, he said.

Prime Minister Surayud earlier emphasised the same point.

BKKPost

The police force should not have absolute power or act as if it is a court,'' and neither should the military but that's exactly what ISOC will have when their legislation is finished. Maybe the PM should restructure the Military and decentralize it's command structure. I bet that's not going to happen.

It will never happen.They would have to prosecute and imprison some very influential people,this would cause a domino effect,unacceptable to many of the people in power.

mellow Wrote:It will never happen.They would have to prosecute and imprison some very influential people,this would cause a domino effect,unacceptable to many of the people in power.

For some time the Police and the Military have been jousting for supremacy. Under Thaksin the Police gained strength and the Military lost some. This as the Military's chance to really make it hard for the Police to function as a cohesive unit under one command structure.

The police definitely have a problem with the way things work and they deserve to be paid decently which is one of the main problems. That may stop some of the corruption by those that don't make enough to feed their families or buy a new uniform. On the other hand the Military is so top heavy it could fall over from the sheer weight of the top brass. Maybe a restructuring of both would be a good idea setting strict guidelines of their actions but it should be done by an elected government that all Thai's are allowed to participate in.