The police force in the Republic of China is popularly known as the ‘people’s police agencies’ or the ‘public security agencies’. The Police Force was formed in October 1949 as the Ministry of Public Security (MPS). The responsibility of MPS was for counter subversion, counterintelligence, surveillance, protection of military and economic installations. Other responsibilities include registration, routine police administration and investigation of criminal acts (Ebbe, 2000).
The overall structure of the criminal justice is entrenched in the constitution. At the top is the State Council (the central government). The second in command is the Ministry of Public Security, followed by Bureau of Public security (Provisional level). The fourth level of command is the Division of Public Security (at regional level), followed by the Department of Public Security (at municipal level). The seventh level of command in the Police Service is Substation of Public Security (at county or urban district level), followed by the Dispatch Post of Public Security (at urban neighborhood and rural area level). The final level of command in the China Police Service is the Security System (department, division, or section within a work unit) (Ebbe, 200).
Unlike the United States Police Service, the Chinese one follows a dual supervision system. Each agency is supervised by the higher police one. In China, the highest police agency is the State Council. The function of the State Council is to coordinate criminal investigations and provide police directions. However, there is a difference when it comes to police in urban areas. Urban areas police district have grassroots agencies. These agencies are directly linked to the State Council. This is what makes it different from other local agencies.
In 2012, China had a total of 2 million police officers. These millions of police officers are divided into seven major groups. These are public order police, criminal police, census registration police (household/residence registration), traffic police, firefighting police, armed police and foreign affairs police. These groups have different functions. For instance, the traffic police primarily patrol highways and maintain order in the pedestrian and automotive areas. Public police oversee special trades, public places and dangerous goods. They also handle crimes, control and prevent them. Foreign affairs police on the other hand handle incidents and crimes that involve foreigners.
The Chinese Police also have a function in the judicial police. The first judicial function they do is the registration of criminal cases. They also examine denunciations which give information about the crime committed. Another judicial function performed by the police in China is investigation. They conduct searches, seize and collect evidence. In addition, they draft warrants of arrest in (Ebbe, 2000) cases requested. They also detain persons accused of crimes.
The Chinese Police also have functions in the social arena. For instance, they implement sanctions that deal with minor crimes. The police also issue warnings to minor criminal offenders. The police can also order fines up to 400 Yuan ($63.36). In addition, the police have several ways to employ in dealing with anti-social behavior.
The Chinese Police Service has dynamics. It is supposed to respect people’s opinions. In 1984, there came a new Comprehensive Approach. This new approach was meant to organize all police forces to educate the young adults about maintaining social order. Another dynamic approach of the police is to assist larger work in the setting up of security forces in big factories, hotels and companies. The economic police are responsible for this. They are also responsible for prevention of minor offenses such as assault and theft. The economic police report incidences of such acts to the local police (Dammer, 2006).
Works Cited
Dammer, Harry R, Erika Fairchild, and Jay S. Albanese. Comparative Criminal Justice Systems. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2006. Print.
Ebbe, Obi N. I. Comparative and International Criminal Justice Systems: Policing, Judiciary, and Corrections. Boston, Mass: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2000. Print.
