A majority of people agree to a proposal for the Royal Thai Police (RTP) to be put under the jurisdiction of the Justice Ministry and think the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has not been successful in police reforms, according to an opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.
The proposal was made by a joint committee of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) and the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) studying police reforms.
The poll was conducted on May 25-26 on 1,250 people aged 18 and over, of various occupations and levels of education throughout the country, to compile their opinions on police reforms carried out by the NCPO-installed government led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Almost half - 49.52% - of the respondents said the government had achieved a little or no success in the police reforms. Only 10.64% said the government had been highly successful in police reforms and 31.76% said it had been fairly successful. The rest had no comment.
On the proposal for the RTP to be put under the jurisdiction of the Justice Ministry, a majority - 51.92% -agreed with it, reasoning that the ministry will be able to maintain justice, neutrality and transparency; 27.92% disagreed, saying that the RTP under the Justice Ministry would lack independence and judicial affairs would be more complicated and could be subect to interference by politicians; 10.96% were indifferent on the matter; and 9.20% were uncertain or had no comment.
On the proposed requirements for future RTP chiefs to have undertaken investigative work for at least two years and handled the investigation of at least 70 cases, 71.84% agreed with it; 14.24% disagreed, saying that more criteria should be added for the selection; and the rest had no comment.
Asked to comment on the proposed increase in police salaries to a level considered sufficient to support a decent standard of living, 66.32% agreed with it, saying that police, especially at the non-commissioned level, require higher pay and moral support; 25.28% disagreed, saying that police are already enjoying welfare benefits in addition to salaries, and that a salary increase would not prevent extortion; and the rest had no comment or were uncertain.
On an idea for police to be put under the jurisdiction of provincial governors in the regions, 39.76% disagreed, saying that this could allow interference by politicians or local influential persons; 38.96% agreed, reasoning that the police would work more closely with the local people; and the rest were uncertain or had no comment.
Finally, on a suggestion for police to be placed under the jurisdiction of local administrations, 46.08% disagreed, saying this would affect the efficiency of police work; 37.20% agreed, reasoning that this would enable the police to work more closely with the local population; and the rest were uncertain or had no comment.