[Column] Autonomous Police System with Autonomy but No Police

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] As the autonomous police system is set to be fully implemented on July 1, discord is emerging in various places. The autonomous police system was introduced with the intention of decentralizing authority to local governments, as powerful powers have been concentrated in the police due to adjustments in investigative authority between the prosecution and the police. The national police are responsible for investigative duties. Autonomous police can handle public safety, security, traffic duties, and investigate certain cases closely related to daily life, such as domestic and school violence. Although inauguration ceremonies for city and provincial autonomous police committees are being held nationwide starting with Gangwon Province, frontline officers fear that the autonomous police system may become a shackle. This is because autonomous police may have to take on general public inconvenience report handling duties that should be managed by local governments.

Before the implementation of the autonomous police system, each city and province is enacting ordinances concerning autonomous police affairs and the organization and operation of autonomous police committees. The National Police Agency created and distributed a standard ordinance draft, including a mandatory provision that when defining the scope of autonomous police affairs, the opinion of the head of the metropolitan police agency must be sought. However, some local governments are enacting ordinances by changing this to a discretionary provision of ‘may listen to.’ Active-duty police officers interpret this phrase as meaning that consultation with the National Police Agency chief may not be necessary. The police station labor council under the Chungbuk Police Agency even held a one-person protest, saying, "Does the province want autonomous slaves instead of autonomous police?"

In addition, there are calls to include former police officers who understand the security field well in the city and provincial autonomous police committees that command and supervise the autonomous police. Under the current ‘Act on the Organization and Operation of National Police and Autonomous Police,’ all seven committee members are appointed by the city or provincial governor. Welfare and treatment of autonomous police officers are also pointed out as issues. The Seoul Police Agency labor council stated, "Considering morale boosting and fairness for police officers in charge of autonomous police affairs, welfare benefits at the same level as Seoul city officials are absolutely necessary." As of April last year, welfare points for Seoul police were 400,000 KRW as a base, while Seoul city officials received 1,500,000 KRW as a base. No matter how good the intention, the system must ultimately be grounded in reality. The voices from the field must be listened to even now.

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