Innovative policing measures praised

Proactive, effective steps resolve issues and improve residents’ daily lives

Hou Hangming, head of Lijiapu Police Station in Anding district, Dingxi, Gansu province, often tells his colleagues: “We must have empathy, and treat the public as if they are our friends and family. This will ensure that we perform our duties effectively, and maintain public satisfaction and tranquility.”

In recent years, the police station has introduced a number of proactive and effective measures to address issues that affect residents’ daily lives and work. Its outstanding performance won it the honor of being named a “Fengqiao-style police station”.

The Ministry of Public Security recently designated Lijiapu Police Station as one of the third batch of 100 “Fengqiao-style police stations” nationwide.

These stations have performed outstanding work in actively exploring innovative approaches that align specialized work to meet the public’s needs.

The ministry said the stations have improved the new community policing mechanism, integrated themselves with modern urban and rural community governance, and prioritized the prevention and resolution of various conflicts and risks.

For example, Lijiapu Police Station introduced a service that allows the public to easily contact police officers when facing difficulties, such as emergencies that require urgent medical attention, or helping residents with mobility challenges to obtain documents they need.

At Dingyang Livestock Trading Market, the largest such market in Dingxi, language barriers among traders from different provinces often led to complaints and misunderstandings, Hou said.

To address this issue, the police station sent officers to the market to mediate disputes efficiently, conduct daily patrols, and involve market management personnel in mediation.

This approach successfully resolved 42 disputes, achieving a 100 percent resolution rate.

Zhang Dingyang, a manager at the market, said: “With officers now stationed in the market, various disputes are resolved promptly, and major conflicts have almost disappeared. Operations at the market are proceeding in an orderly manner, significantly enhancing our sense of security.”

Moreover, Lijiapu Police Station introduced the “Five-Party Mediation Mechanism”, which also involves the local government, comprehensive management center, judicial office, and court.

Hou, head of the police station, said this collaborative effort has proved an effective means of resolving conflicts.

The station’s dedication to resolving disputes and engaging with the community has deepened mutual understanding and cooperation.

Regular joint meetings and effective communication have become standard practices, fostering a more harmonious relationship between the police and the public, Hou added.

To date, the Ministry of Public Security and provincial public security departments have named 1,413 “Fengqiao-style police stations”, resulting in public security authorities nationwide resolving some six million disputes annually.

Since 2020, the ministry has urged police stations across the country to interact with the public, resolve their worries and conflicts, and prevent potential risks.

Officers visit more than 52 million households of various types every year and receive over 12 million requests for help from the public.

We must have empathy, and treat the public as if they are our friends and family. This will ensure that we perform our duties effectively, and maintain public satisfaction and tranquility … Regular joint meetings and effective communication have become standard practices, fostering a more harmonious relationship between the police and the public. HOU HANGMING Head of Lijiapu Police Station