[Reporter’s Notebook] Police’s Prompt Response Protects Public Life and Safety

"There was an extremely loud thud, and my body just reacted, so I ran over." This is what Police Officer Kim Do-yeon of the Gimcheon Police Station in Gyeongbuk said after performing CPR on a customer who collapsed in a restaurant in Gyeongbuk, saving their life. The police's prompt response and quick judgment became a hot topic nationwide for saving a citizen's life.

The importance of police risk awareness grows even greater in high-risk incidents. The kidnapping and murder case in Gangnam that occurred on the 29th of last month sparked controversy over the police's initial response. Although the police initially claimed there was no problem with their early response, they registered the suspect's vehicle in the nationwide wanted vehicle search system only after more than four hours, despite having identified the vehicle number. It was also confirmed that the report to the command was made the following morning.

Although the police apprehended three suspects the next day, there remain regrets regarding their response. In particular, it is a painful point that even after watching CCTV footage clearly showing a woman being kidnapped, the incident was not classified as high-risk.

Despite the police's pledge to establish a triple reporting system (situation report, command report, function report) after the Itaewon tragedy, this was not followed this time either. The police defended themselves by saying they did not neglect the investigation, but if the command system had been properly established, delays in the investigation such as deploying more personnel and registering the vehicle in the search system could have been reduced.

The National Police Agency acknowledged that the delay in reporting to higher-ups after the incident was true and stated that they would verify through a third-party organization whether there are any improvement or supplementary measures. While the quick acknowledgment and explanation are understandable, the consensus is that without actual investigation and inspection, the issue may be quietly overlooked.

On the previous day, Woo Jong-su, head of the National Investigation Headquarters, instructed at a command video conference that the absence of systematic command from the early stages of an incident can lead to problems such as delays in joint investigations, and ordered the establishment of a rapid reporting system.

Robbery incidents, including those where weapons are brandished to demand money, are occurring repeatedly in the heart of Seoul. Practical measures must be prepared as soon as possible to reestablish the command reporting system and strengthen initial response training. Reckless responses and delayed reporting must not lead to repeated violent crimes.

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