Police chief urges standardization of law enforcement

Guizhou police detain 117 for June unrest

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-11-19 06:50

BEIJING -- China's police departments should further standardize the procedure of law enforcement and build harmonious relations with the people, China's top police official said on Tuesday.

State Councilor Meng Jianzhu, also Minister of Public Security, said at a tele-conference with local public security heads that the police should "be fully aware of the challenge brought by the global financial crisis and try their best to maintain social stability."

Meng urged the police to further improve the way of law enforcement, using "a harmonious thinking to ease conflicts and a harmonious attitude to treat the people".

"You should let the people know the authority and dignity of the law, and meanwhile make them feel the care and warmth from the public security authorities," he said.

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Guizhou police detain 117 for June unrest

Earlier this month, Meng published an article in the journal of the Communist Party of China, Qiushi, or Seeking Truth, underscoring "the appropriate use of police force".

"In handling mass incidents, we must be clear that the chief tasks of the public security authorities are to maintain order on the scene, ease conflicts, avoid excessive steps and prevent the situation getting out of control," he wrote.

And the local officials must exercise caution in using police forces, weapons and coercive force, Meng said. "Incidents of bloodshed, injury and death should absolutely be avoided."

A violent protest, involving 30,000 people, broke out on June 28 in Weng'an County of southwest China's Guizhou Province. The protesters rampaged through government buildings and torched more than 160 offices and about 40 vehicles. More than 150 police and protesters were injured, most slightly, and no deaths were reported.

Provincial Party Chief Shi Zongyuan later blamed some local officials' "rude and roughshod solutions" to solve disputes over mines, the demolition of homes for public projects, the relocation of residents for reservoir construction and other issues.

"Some officials neglected their duties, but resorted to police force when any dispute happened, which led to strained relations between officials and the people, and police and the public," Shi said.