Police Officers' 'Workplace Council' Launched... The Key Is Participation Rate

22 Years After Enactment of the Public Officials' Union Act
Inaugurated Through Founding General Meeting from the 18th
Membership Limited to Grade Gyeonggam and Below... Restrictions Based on Duties

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The amended law allowing the establishment of 'Public Officials Workplace Council (Jikhyup)' within the police force officially came into effect on the 11th. Starting as early as the 18th, workplace councils will be launched at each police station, and the success of their operation is expected to depend on how many police officers participate.

The establishment of workplace councils within the police is happening for the first time in 22 years since the 'Act on the Establishment and Operation of Public Officials Workplace Councils (Public Officials Jikhyup Act)' was first enacted in 1998. In the past, the government was negative about setting up workplace councils in the police due to the nature of police work. However, under the current administration, as reforms of power institutions such as the adjustment of investigative authority between prosecutors and police have been promoted as national agenda items, the establishment of workplace councils as an internal check within the police has gained momentum.

The police workplace councils are expected to be launched through inaugural general meetings for each provincial police agency and police station starting as early as the 18th. The councils will be composed of up to 10 members, including representatives and council members. Regular consultations with the head of the respective institution will be guaranteed twice a year, and discussions can be held on improving working conditions, enhancing work efficiency, handling grievances, and institutional development.

The most closely watched membership scope is defined as police officers at the rank of Inspector (Gyeonggam) or below, similar to general public officials at grade 6 or below. However, those in ▲command and supervisory positions ▲personnel affairs ▲budget, accounting, and supplies management ▲secretarial duties ▲confidential tasks ▲security and guard duties are excluded. Based on police station standards, precinct and substation chiefs, functional section chiefs, administrative section chiefs and personnel staff, accounting section chiefs and accounting staff, internal affairs departments, clerical and administrative staff, as well as intelligence and security police excluding internal office work, cannot join the workplace council. In direct investigation functions, staff of the intelligent crime investigation team handling social legal interests are excluded from the council. Based on this, the police estimate that about 100,000 officers, approximately 85% of the total police force, will be eligible to join the workplace council.

Joining the workplace council is entirely voluntary. The key to the council functioning as an internal check is how many police officers participate. Ryu Geun-chang, Director of External Cooperation at the Police Workplace Council Preparation Committee (Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency Inspector), emphasized, "It is up to those operating the council to make staff feel the necessity of joining. We will strive to eliminate prejudice against the workplace council and enable it to play a role in organizational development."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.