China is deploying more officers for grass-roots policing across the country
- Public security ministry says plan aims to strengthen foundation of national security and social stability
- Move to tighten surveillance and control was prompted by recent protests, according to observers
The Ministry of Public Security will send out more officers to do grass-roots policing across China, as it tries to nip any social instability in the bud.
It aims to “make every effort to strengthen the grass-roots foundation of national security and social stability”, according to a document outlining the three-year plan posted to the ministry’s website on March 28.
Under the plan, more officers will be deployed to police stations, residential communities in cities, and villages in rural areas.
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Observers say the move to strengthen surveillance and control was prompted by concern over recent protests at the local level.
According to the document, at least 40 per cent of the police force in all cities and counties will be sent to work at police stations. And at least 40 per cent of those personnel will be deployed to residential communities.
In cities, public security bureaus in municipal districts are “encouraged” to send more officers – at least 50 per cent of the force – to do grass-roots policing.
The ministry meanwhile aims to have at least one police officer for every village in China’s rural areas by the end of 2025.
It is the first time these requirements have been made at the national level, but they have already been introduced by some cities in Shandong, Sichuan and Henan provinces in recent years.
