PDRC holds fourth police reform forum

PDRC holds fourth police reform forum

The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) yesterday held its fourth forum on police and judicial process reforms.

Preecha Watcharapai, the former secretary of the Office of the Civil Service Commission, chaired the forum.

Former deputy police chief Kraisuk Sinsuk told the forum the current police system is outdated.

He suggested that Provincial Police Regions 1-9 be decentralised from the main police body, and budgets be allocated directly to local police.

Police regulations must be free from political influence, said Pol Gen Kraisuk, adding that new technology should be acquired to help with their investigations.

Police positions similar to those in other state agencies, such as forestry and train police officers, must be abolished.

Reform should pave the way for a good and capable police force, with civic organisations established to help scrutinise police practice, Pol Gen Kraisuk said.

Komsan Pho-kong, of academic group Siam Prachapiwat, suggested police ranks be reduced to prevent them being aligned with particular political groups.

The decentralisation of police power is a priority, he said.

Pinyo Thongchai, former secretary-general of the Office of Public Sector Anti-corruption Commission (PACC), said the judicial process of criminal charges needs reforms.

Everyone is entitled to a fair justice system that should be able to bring conflicts to an end, he said.

Violation of people's rights by those with judicial power must end, Mr Pinyo said.

He recommended that suspects must never be arrested before proper evidence has been acquired.

Law enforcement must be transparent, quick and without malfeasance, he said.

Those convicted should receive suitable punishment, and cut the burden on the state, Mr Pinyo said.

Thailand's focus on detention of criminals as their only punishment has caused a massive overcrowding of inmates in prisons, he added.

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