The long arm of the law is
going undercover in Beijing, to ensure residents feel secure in public places.
A 1,200-man strong plainclothes team was officially established by the city's
public security bureau Tuesday, to combat street crimes such as theft, robbery,
fraud and drug dealing.
The officers, who will wear everyday clothes instead of uniform, will be
deployed across the city, especially in public places such as railway and bus
stations, hotels, restaurants and busy business districts. Their deployment
could be adjusted later in response to reports to the 110 emergency hotline.
Ma Xichu, deputy director of the bureau's criminal police unit, said Beijing
had comparatively low crime rate, but it still witnessed a large 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 help keep order during the China-Africa Co-operation
Forum next month.
He said more than 4,000 foreign guests would gather in Beijing during the
forum, and ensuring their safety was the bureau's responsibility.
Beijing currently only has about 600 plainclothes officers. Setting up the
new team marked the establishment of a systematic working mechanism of
plainclothes police in Beijing, said Ma.
All plainclothes officers are required to have at least three years' police
experience in the city, they also undergo special training before joining the
team.
Ma said plainclothes officers would be allowed to carry weapons, including
guns, if necessary.
The team has also received positive response from residents. Seven of out 10
people surveyed by China Daily said it 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 only 1,200 plainclothes is
far from enough for a city with over 10 million inhabitants."
