Strengthening Victim Protection and Introducing Practical Training... Police Announce 'Comprehensive Measures to Enhance On-Site Response Capabilities'

Personal Protection → Changes in Safety Measures for Crime Victims
Enhancing Protection by Risk Level Classification
Activating the Active Administration Immunity System
Improving Martial Arts and Shooting Training

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The police, who faced difficulties due to controversies over inadequate responses in the 'Incheon inter-floor noise stabbing incident' and the 'Seoul Jung-gu officetel murder case,' have announced a comprehensive plan to strengthen on-site response capabilities. The plan focuses on improving the crime victim protection system, enhancing laws and regulations for proactive law enforcement, strengthening education and training, and introducing on-site tailored equipment.

The National Police Agency announced the 'Comprehensive Plan to Strengthen On-Site Response Capabilities' on the 30th. This plan was prepared by gathering opinions from on-site police officers, centered around the 'Police On-Site Response Capability Enhancement Task Force (TF)' operated by the police.

The police set four main strategies: ▲crime victim protection ▲foundation for proactive law enforcement ▲practical education and training ▲on-site tailored equipment. First, the existing personal protection system will be renamed 'Crime Victim Safety Measures' and upgraded to a system that classifies risk levels (very high, high, normal) to provide protection accordingly. Under the 'very high' level, support will include providing safe accommodation for more than 10 days, protection facilities, relocation of residence, and installation of AI CCTV. To strengthen responses to relational violence, cases involving violence such as stalking will be considered for designation as 'rapid and focused investigation targets,' and repeated reports will be addressed by reviewing the reporting history. Equipment improvements such as expanding the distribution of smartwatches and introducing AI CCTV have also been planned.

Institutional improvements to support proactive law enforcement will also be pursued. Promotion of public official liability insurance and police legal insurance, which support litigation costs such as lawyer fees when police officers are sued or complaints are filed related to their duties, will be strengthened. The proactive administration exemption system, which exempts officers from liability for negligence during active duty unless it is intentional or gross negligence, will be activated. Acts obstructing official duties will be strictly punished, and additional improvements to sentencing guidelines for enhanced penalties will be made.

Measures to enhance education and training include activating regular education for local police, improving the training curriculum for new officers, updating manuals, improving martial arts training, and enhancing shooting training. Practical training such as situation handling and equipment use for emergencies will be strengthened. For new officers, the in-school training period at the Central Police Academy will be restored from 4 months to 6 months and reorganized into a practice-oriented curriculum. Regular live-fire training with two taser cartridges per person will be institutionalized, and opportunities to participate in shooting training will be expanded to allow voluntary attendance beyond the twice-yearly regular sessions.

To introduce on-site tailored equipment, a Korean-style electronic stun gun will begin pilot operation in the first half of next year, and low-risk alternative firearms will be developed. Additionally, development of lightweight stab-resistant vests to prepare for sudden attacks on-site is underway, along with electronic stun police batons, gloves, and close-range restraint devices that can efficiently and safely subdue and arrest individuals carrying weapons.

The police also plan to additionally review on-site focused personnel expansion, improvements in police recruitment, increased budgets for crime victim protection, legislation related to intoxicated crimes, and organizational restructuring for talent development. A National Police Agency official stated, "We will promptly proceed with follow-up measures of the first comprehensive plan and continue to review tasks that require further discussion," adding, "We aim to make this a valuable turning point to elevate the police’s on-site response capabilities to protect public safety from the dangers of crime."

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