Comment

Policing the police is good only in theory

By Zeng Yiguo (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-05-13 08:02

As of May 9, Beijing residents can report to the Municipal Bureau of Public Security any police cars are being used for private purposes, such as weddings and funeral ceremonies or leading the way for cars as part of a new policy introduced by the bureau. If the tip-off is verified after investigation, the informer will receive a cash reward ranging from 100 yuan to 500 yuan.

On first impression it seems that the new regulation is a step forward for local residents as it shows that local authorities are paying more attention to the public's right to be involved with government affairs.

However, on second thought, the regulation, though good, is hard to implement. Many of the articles are vaguely written. For example, one article states that residents can make a report if they discover a police car that isn't registered in accordance with the law or has incomplete plates or certificates. Yet, how can an ordinary resident know a police car is non-compliant? The police is a special profession, how can ordinary people know which police cars are on duty and which cars are just wandering for their own purpose? People can't just stop a speeding police car and ask the driver what he's doing. The act would surely be considered interfering with public service.

It's certainly a good thing for ordinary people to have the right to report and superintend, but naturally some are concerned about the consequences that might arise after reporting police cars breaking the regulations.

The local authorities are well-intentioned in introducing the regulations and giving people the right to monitor the police. But the regulation is useless if it can't be implemented. Before introducing a new measure, policymakers need to think about its practicability. We don't lack regulations, but the most important thing is, how to make sure that these regulations can be practically applied.

It's not a good thing to have more and more regulations, it indicates that the legal system has yet to be improved.

In a sound legal system, everyone is equal before law, for instance, officials and civilians are equal, police and civilians are equal, police cars and civilian cars are equal. So whoever breaks the law is punishable, and there's no need to introduce new regulations. Without their "privileges", police cars won't break regulations.

(Excerpts of a comment that first appeared in the Beijing Times on May 10)