[Reporter’s Notebook] Police Fundamentals in Crisis: Change Is Essential

A petition post by the victim's family uploaded on the Blue House National Petition Board.

The police have secured investigative authority this year by achieving the long-awaited adjustment of investigative powers between the prosecution and the police to some extent. The National Investigation Headquarters, which oversees investigations, has also been launched. The autonomous police, which provide customized security services to local residents, have been implemented. Despite changes in systems and organizations, one thing remains unchanged: the police's fundamental mission to protect the lives and safety of the people.

Recently, the public has witnessed a police force whose basics have collapsed. At the scene of the inter-floor noise stabbing incident in Incheon, the victim was not protected by the police. Rather, the police officers avoided the scene in front of the perpetrator. In the officetel murder case in Jung-gu, Seoul, the victim, who was under police protection, was ultimately killed by her ex-boyfriend. Although greater harm could clearly have been prevented, the police's inadequate response only worsened the damage. The public's trust that the police would protect us has been completely shattered.

It is not that there were no systems or manuals. In 2019, the National Police Agency established and implemented the "Regulations on the Standards and Methods of Police Use of Physical Force" as a police directive. It stipulates that in cases of "lethal attacks," where the subject uses weapons such as knives against police officers or third parties, police batons, gas sprayers, electronic shock devices (Taser guns), and even live ammunition may be used. Policies to protect victims have also been continuously expanded. The Stalking Punishment Act had been in effect for only a month. Moreover, four months ago in July, following the Jeju middle school student murder case, the National Police Agency announced a "Comprehensive Plan for the Protection of Crime Victims," which included expanding the distribution of smartwatches and supplementing the "Risk Assessment Checklist."

These policy and institutional improvements became useless at the scene. While the police officers dispatched to the scene and the police station commanding them bear primary responsibility, one cannot help but question whether the police leadership has conducted continuous education and training to establish the changed system on the ground and whether they have communicated sufficiently with the field. The apology from Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong alone is far from enough. At this rate, neither a "safest country" nor a "police force respected and loved" seems achievable.

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