Panel to review draft law on police reform

PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS TOWARD THE FORCE ‘MUST BE CONSIDERED’

>> A panel assigned to scrutinise a draft law on police reform is considering writing a new bill to ensure the police force is streamlined and delivers better services to the public, panel member Kamnoon Sidhisamarn says.

Mr Kamnoon said the panel chaired by Constitution Drafting Committee chief Meechai Ruchupan is more inclined to draft the entire bill, instead of revising it as recommended by a police reform committee.

The panel held its first meeting on Friday after being set up by the Cabinet to consider a bill governing the Royal Thai Police after a police reform plan was finalised by a reform committee headed by former supreme commander Boonsrang Niumpradit.

According to Mr Kamnoon, two elements — public expectations toward the police force and the police expectations — must be taken into consideration in the drafting of the legislation.

Six frameworks which have been laid down by the prime minister will also be observed, he added.

They are the new structure of the police force; the scope of power and responsibilities; promotions and transfers; budget allocation; the use of forensic science; and welfare benefits for police officers.

According to Mr Kamnoon, while non-police work should be allocated to other agencies to streamline the work, it must be decided whether inquiry work would remain under police jurisdiction or if other agencies should be brought in the interests of greater transparency and efficiency.

He said the draft law should clearly address the procedures and the criteria used in the appointment of a national police chief instead of leaving the issue to be addressed in a secondary law.

He added that police reform proposals from other agencies will also be considered in the drafting process.

A source from the police reform committee, who asked not to be named, said the panel had completed its work as assigned according to the constitution.

It is still unknown how the new law will be drafted but “it would be beneficial if the law was improved”, the source said.

Earlier, Mr Meechai criticised the proposals put forward by the police reform committee, saying the body was too considerate towards police and it should be fixed.

Among the proposals of the police reform committee was the restructuring of the Royal Thai Police (RTP) board, in which the board will lose its right to select and appoint the national police chief, said Manich Suksomchitra, chairman of the communications and social committee of the government’s national reform panel on judicial procedure.

Instead, it will become an organisation directing policy and strategies for the force, he said.

The new structure of the board would see the prime minister serving as board chairman and a deputy prime minister selected by the PM as deputy chairman, Mr Manich said.

The permanent secretary for defence, the permanent secretary for interior, the permanent secretary for justice, the Supreme Commander and the director of the Bureau of the Budget would also be board members, he said.