The Royal Thai Police (RTP) should draft people into the force, making them "police conscripts" to fill the high number of vacancies, a national security reform panel has suggested.
The plan would make recruitment compulsory in the same way young men report to the military for yearly conscription, defence spokesman Kongcheep Tantrawanit said Thursday after the panel, chaired by deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, met.
The proposal was suggested as part of national security reforms which cover defence, intelligence and police affairs.
The RTP is dealing with a lack of police officers as up to 70,000 positions remain vacant. The so-called police conscript idea would serve as a method to boost the office's search for new recruits, Lt Gen Kongcheep said.
Only the way of recruiting people would change as the panel shares the stance of the police reform committee, headed by Gen Boonsrang Niampradit, who insists the force must come under the prime minister's supervision.
The panel, which works separately on police reform issues, also suggested the government modernise police operations by equipping 50,000 officers with personal cameras, Lt Gen Kongcheep added.
Besides installing cameras in their cars, they should have personal cameras to ensure transparency, clearing up any problems that may arise during their work, he said.
In other issues, the panel agreed with plans to upgrade the Defence Ministry both in warfare development and administration.
The focus will be on measures to strengthen the armed forces, further developing their capacities in territorial defence missions as well as streamlining the ministry, Lt Gen Kongcheep said.
So far the Defence Ministry has cut the number of personnel by 744 positions and lowered spending by 47 million baht a year, he said.
Further work efficiency improvements will bring the ministry in line with the government's 20-year national strategy plan, Lt Gen Kongcheep said.
The panel also agreed with the development of intelligence affairs by having security officers work closely with other agencies, especially the Foreign Affairs Ministry with embassies and consulates worldwide.
The goal is to obtain more rapid, accurate and reliable intelligence reports, Lt Gen Kongcheep said.