Beijing launches specialist police force

BEIJING - Beijing launched a new specialist police force Wednesday.

Lan Yang, deputy chief of the force under the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, said that the force will have over 150 police officers divided into four groups: environmental protection, food and drugs, tourism and a group with a flexible focus.

Lan said that corresponding sub-forces were also being organized and trained in lower bureaus.

Beijing's acting Mayor Cai Qi announced early January the forming of an environmental police force to tackle air pollution, after a spell of smog in the city lasting for more than a week.