All Buri Ram province police stations have been ordered to get permission before setting up checkpoints as top official try to force officers to focus on public safety instead of enriching themselves through traffic fines.
Pol Maj Gen Suwan Ekpho, commander of Buri Ram police, issued the order Friday after the abrupt transfers of two senior police officers in Nakhon Ratchasima over the erection of roadside checkpoints by subordinates to collect traffic fines, instead of ensuring public safety.
He asked all 34 police stations under his command to follow proper regulations and procedures regarding the establishment of checkpoints.
Under his order, police stations wanting to set up road stops must seek approval from their station commander and the request must clearly state dates and time of their operation.
At each roadside stop, there also must be posted a sign displaying the name and phone number of the commissioned officer responsible for the checkpoint.
Pol Col Charnchai Pongpichitkul, deputy Buri Ram police chief, on Friday warned that disciplinary and legal action would be taken against officers found to setting up unauthorised checkpoints to collect traffic fines, of which they get a portion.
In the province, there are three permanent police checkpoints to stop the influx of illicit drugs. They are located in Non Din Daeng, Phutthaisong and Ban Mai Chai Pot districts, said Pol Col Charnchai.
There are also three security checkpoints in Non Din Daeng, Nong Ki and Lam Plai Mat district, he added. Those waypoints are jointly manned by local police and the military.
Earlier, the Nakhon Ratchasima police chief and the Muang police chief were shunted to inactive posts for using checkpoints solely to collect traffic fines to enrich themselves instead of ensuring public safety as ordered.
The two senior officers were transferred to the Police Provincial Region 3 head office, which supervises police in eight northeastern provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin, Si Sa Ket, Buri Ram, Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen and Chaiyaphum.
Police Region 3 commander Pisan Julladilok said on Thursday that Nakhon Ratchasima police chief Thakul Nattheesri and Muang district police chief Pathiyut Singsomroj were found to have focused mainly on setting up police checkpoints to fine motorists and collect more money, which was contrary to his instructions.
It was Region 3 policy to concentrate on boosting public safety, not on collecting traffic fines, Pol Lt Gen Pisan said.