Police want independence

[casualbiker]

One of the largest mafia groups in the world asking for more independence ?

What an odd headline....

But is it a Mafia group BECAUSE the said mafia style officers can get away with it because of the politicians involvement?

[antimedia]

Pol Maj Gen Kosin Hintao, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), said he accepted that the image of the police was poor,
that was because the police needed to comply with the government's order to bring the protesters under control.

Their image has been poor for a long long time before this, I can remember as far back as 1971 when I first came to Thailand they were as corrupt then as they are today. The country needs rid of all the dictators, dump the old school, examine every rich politician and government employees present and past unusual wealth, jail those found to be corrupt and return thr money to the people. Reform top to bottom then hold democratic elections. Until then run the country under Suthep's concept, of course without him or his cronies.

[bigbamboo]

Wow........ true enlightenment finally strikes in Thailand. Buddha must be a happy bunny today.

What next I wonder........ politicians asking what they can do for their country?

[ginjag]

If you have a CLEAN government, therefore they would automatically cleanse the force. That's the way it works in say the UK.

There are too many powers above the law here this to me is the problem.

My take on this is definitely NO to their independence. They have already too much pull, and controlled by ???? you want a police state ??? then what happens the army fighting the police on the streets. Amazing some posters think it is a good idea DOH.

[zaphodbeeblebrox]

The divisions in Thai society run too deep, and these are merely reflected in the police force. Until the police are loyal to the people and not the reds or yellows, there will never be proper enforcement of the laws. There will be no justice to punish the purveyors of violence. The police are wholly incapable of properly controlling and at the same time protecting protests. Yet, the right of protest remains firmly rooted in the Thai constitution as one of its pillars of democracy. When the police fail, ultimately the armed forces must step in. When the current situation becomes unbearable, we will see a repeat of what we have seen in the past, the army rescuing Thailand from self-destruction, because the police will always fail at this task.

[Why ask]

Police wants independence from what? Where is it defined? Oh! Independence from new government politicians... for sure?

So Thai police wants to be an independent comission, with it's own laws?

This is more scary than Freddie Krueger.

When police says it wants independence from government..... here goes Chalerm into becoming Pol Pot.... it isn't going to happen. Grow up brown-owls.

[almafudd]

I don't have time to get into this one but suffice to say if given a free hand the RTP would become even more a law unto itself than it is now imo. If thats possible, earn the right by doing the job even slightly properly before asking for more autonomy.

don't have the time

[Mosha]

Does anyone ''now'' have any control of the BiB, in fact, any control over anything.....................

He's out of the country, and unavailable for comment right now.

[55Jay]

Recent political turmoil has nothing to do with why the public has zero respect for the police. Recent events merely sustain the long held disdain they have for it. Who's this guy think he's fooling? As they say, "Never let a crisis go to waste".

"Not all police officers want to be under the government's control and work for certain politicians. Many of them want to be independent," he said.

The Hoes trying to push the Pimps out of the action? Soldiers pushing out the Captains and the Godfather? Wow, this is edgy stuff for a big police guy to come out and say publicly. Thaksin and Yingluck must be about ready to pack it in.

[smedly]

This would be a step in the right direction.

it's exactly as it should be - upholding the law and not the illegal activities of the government

[than]

Good idea, but is it sincere wish ?

[rogerdee123]

Thaksin was a cop himself and has good buddies and "Classmates" at the top of the current mob ..... it will take a lot to pry them away from his control.

[hobz]

Politicians should represent the people. Police should not have to feel bad about working for politicians (indirectly the people).

Police should uphold the law.

If there is an illegal protest the police must act. It doesn't matter if they think the protest should be legal. That is not for them to decide.

[hobz]

Democracy, the law, politicians, police, none of the above gets or deserves any respect in this kindergarden called Thailand.. They really need to start from scratch...

[winstonc]

maybe they see the tide turning and are just pre empting ,thus saying we want reform as long as we can keep our jobs, just covering there arse nothing more...

[Why ask]

Thaksin was a cop himself and has good buddies and "Classmates" at the top of the current mob ..... it will take a lot to pry them away from his control.

No it won't. A few bottles of whisky as a gift for all to share - hey presto...... table blown.

[arthurboy]

They already have independence, the independence to do whatever they want with absolutely impunity and with no regard to the law or any sense of morality.

sent from my hippo phone

[klauskunkel]

Police want independence

You may get your independence, but first you should be dissolved...

Edited February 23, 2014 by klauskunkel

[Halion]

Then who would they report to? What a crazy notion. To even think about letting the RTP act independently is truly banal.

Independence requires integrity and intelligence and understanding.

3 of the traits that they simply do not have.

[RtotheC]

The jet ski scam has been going on for years, now imagine if the police had more independance and less people to govern them. Free of repurcussion, just think of all the new scams that could take place.

[rickirs]

The last thing Thailand needs is for RTPO to be another independent agency that can challenge the Parliament. Not only will that further the lack of transparency and conflict of interests in the RTPO, it creates an unelected political force that operates by its own agenda and laws. What is needed is a functioning, independent Inspector General Agency that reports to the Parliament to investigate corruption, conflict of interests, failure of duty, discrimination, etc.. This would reinforce professionalism and provide accountability and transparency.

[rickirs]

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its about bloody time too, an independant police force that worked equally for all thais is way overdue. Actually while they are at it they could also start to do what they are paid for and actually police the country instead of hiding away in their airconditioned offices. A police force that chased after criminals instead oif supporting them would be nice, so would a police force that did road patrols and booked all the bullsh*t drivers/riders, the country would suddenly have a wealth of govt money of they did. Removing ranks once you leave the force should be also high on the agenda, chalerm is not a cop, he is a politician and should be treated as such and have no sway over them, same with thaksin.

Thailand needs an independant police force that does what it is supposed to, this would stop a hell of a lot of the crap we are now seeing and put the reds and yellows to bed, cant wait but it will simply never happen like everything else they plan here.

You are absolutely right but can you imagine politicians and the elite willingly losing control over the BIB, the appointment of senior officers and so on ?

And RTPO would be competing with Suthep's private armed guard who already operates with complete immunity. Maybe just more efficient to roll the RTPO with Suthep's guard and call it what it is. Sheep following a wolf.

[quagmirefg]

The Headline "want indepndence" is Misleading.

Thy do need to be Independent from National Politicians and accountable at a more local level to the People, as in Japan, the USA, Canada, and many other Countries where the primary local Law Endorcment is at a City or County level. For Thailand, that would be a City, Amphur (County), or Changwat (State or Province) level.

Police would be directly responsable to that particular local Government under the Direction of their respective Chief of Police.

Of course, there is a lot more involved in even doing this, but it would be the best thing for Thailand. It would reduce or eliminate the Big Politicians having complete control over the Enforcement branches since they would be more localized Government oversite with scrutiny from the citizens of that area.

Yes, they would then become Tax collectors with Guns. Traffic tickets, parking, infraction fines etc.

But some sort of civil order would be expected to feed the Police's salary and the Local Government coffers

Edited February 23, 2014 by quagmirefg

[tetleythedog]

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Imagine how enjoyable they would be if let the leash.

And they wouldn't have to give the politicians any of the cash.

[Dogmatix]

I have met Pol Maj Gen Kosin. He is a reasonable bloke.

[Dogmatix]

The last thing Thailand needs is for RTPO to be another independent agency that can challenge the Parliament. Not only will that further the lack of transparency and conflict of interests in the RTPO, it creates an unelected political force that operates by its own agenda and laws. What is needed is a functioning, independent Inspector General Agency that reports to the Parliament to investigate corruption, conflict of interests, failure of duty, discrimination, etc.. This would reinforce professionalism and provide accountability and transparency.

The police need to be independent of central government but local police should report to locally elected officials, e.g. provincial police should report to provincial governors. That doesn't eliminate political interference or corruption but should permit a degree of local accountability. For example, if police murder someone, the provincial governor might have to deal with protestors outside his office and declining popularity.

[Emster23]

"If the RTPO could become independent like the court and the Office of the Attorney General and then if it did not act in the best interests of the people, then it could be directly reprimand by the public." Yeah, that always works so well. Like when you reprimand them for not enforcing traffic laws, jet ski operators, and on and on..... I am sure so many of us have had responses from BIB: "Oh, thank you sir for reprimanding me over this "fine" for "driving while farang". My apologies and I will be sure to tell my captain that we are here to independently enforce the laws for the good of the people. Silly of us to forget that"

[Ulic]

The peoples low perception of the police has zero to do with there independence and everything to do with

the astonishing level of corruption and the fact they do little that does not affect them personally.

When a fire is lit beneath there feet they solve an amazing number of cases. So I know they are competent

when properly motivated. Maybe they should have even less independence. The big wigs should be replaced

regularly for not solving cases. I am not a night person but maybe the bars in the tourist/nightlife areas should be

legally allowed to stay open till 4 am so they would not have to pay bribes to stay open (as they all seem to do).

Policemen also seem to be involved in businesses with questionable business practises, (karaoke bars and jet ski companies)

and for them the laws are more a suggestion than the law. Just my opinion but that is the way I see it.

[ginjag]

I have met Pol Maj Gen Kosin. He is a reasonable bloke.

Have you met him at a road block ????

Been in the headquarters when the days takings are dealt out ???

Why does he allow his officers after getting tea money for no crash hat-Illegal-----they let them ride on with a ticket. Or someone with no tax or insurance illegal-----let them ride off on the highway home. ??? these are a few of the blinding happenings that are a joke.

Imagine what would happen if they were 'The Untouchables"

[Rorri]

Scamper, on 23 Feb 2014 - 11:56, said:Scamper, on 23 Feb 2014 - 11:56, said:

The police's reputation is so bad in this country that they have actually become for many synonymous with the very problem they are entrusted to protect the public from. So everyone agrees it needs reform. But is reform really going to succeed if suggestions for reform originate from the police themselves ? These suggestions from a police official sound too close to a proposal for an " independent political party ", than a completely unbiased police department, whose sole task should be the protection of the public's constitutional rights and the unprejudiced upholding of the law.Tackling corruption anywhere is going to be the ongoing challenge of reform, as well as being the measure of its success. But tackling corruption will be no less daunting for the police. The more reform is taken out of the hands of the police and placed in the hands of the people - through an act of parliament which adheres to the fundamental rights of all protected by the constitution, followed up by stringent judicial oversight, as well as outreach and ombudsman services - the more the public good is protected.

In Australia each state has its only police force, many years ago, approx. 35, there was an issue with corruption in the Queensland police they realised they could not have their only police investigate itself, so brought in police from other states, many Queensland police, from bottom to top, where charged, fined and/or jailed... ALL guilty police lost their jobs. This of course can not happen in Thailand and it is unlikely outside police will be brought in, so Thailand is stuck with corrupt police for a very long time as no one at the top has the balls to replace the guilty high level police, then force change to filter down.

Edited February 23, 2014 by Rorri