Taking their cue from Japan, police seek help from public

Thai police are planning to copy their Japanese counterparts in attempting to reduce street crime by developing a better relationship with the public.

A recent trip to Japan in February to observe the work of Japanese police brought the idea to the attention of Pol Lt Col Phathai Khusanthia, a senior officer with the Crime Suppression Division (CSD). He plans to ask his boss to adopt the Japanese model.

Requesting the help of the public to ferret out irregularities is not new to Thailand but “we have not enforced this much in practice”, said Pol Lt Col Phathai, deputy chief of the CSD’s commando and patrol unit.

He said public participation is crucial in patrol work to help officers, whose numbers are limited, determine what areas or plans they need to emphasise in tackling crime.

The cooperation between officers and people in Japan is a good model to follow and crime rates there are relatively low, Pol Lt Col Phathai said.

Japanese police have shown good results from working with shop owners, school teachers, association members and even monks, from whom they have gleaned useful information, he added.

“Information exchange is at the heart of this kind of cooperation,” Pol Lt Col Phathai said.

CSD patrol teams often rely on clues or tips-off to help them see clearly whether certain areas are prone to criminal activity, he said, describing the latest venture as an extension of this.

However, he added as a caveat that Japan’s unique cultural sensibilities have also played a role in the successful relationship between the police and the public in terms of combating crime.

“A good way to reduce crime is to instil a strong sense of social discipline in the public,” he said.

Japanese children are taught to have a strong sense of social responsibility.

This is even more successful when combined with a low jobless rate, a healthy family structure and good city zoning, police said.