Southern Violence : Police fill 150-officer quota by deadline
Police fill 150-officer quota by deadline
Jan 4th, 2013
A total of 150 police officers have been recruited to work in the three southernmost provinces, filling a quota sought by the Royal Thai Police Office.
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Three middle ranking police investigators under the Metropolitan Police Bureau share their happiness after being recruited to work in the southernmost provinces. A total of 150 police officers have been recruited to work in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
APICHART JINAKUL
Of the 150, only three were selected through the drawing of lots, carried out by the Police Region 8 Bureau.
The others have volunteered to serve in the conflict-ridden zone, said Pol Gen Chatchawal Suksomjit, a senior adviser responsible for the selection.
The Royal Thai Police recently announced plans to recruit 150 investigators to work in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. Out of concerns the required number would not be met, it had introduced a policy of randomly selecting officers by drawing lots. However, thanks to a surge of volunteers before yesterday’s deadline, the office did not have to resort to the drawing of lots as much as it expected.
The officers are likely to be deployed by next Thursday.
In Bangkok, 13 police officers attached to the MPB yesterday applied to work in the South, bringing the total number of applicants from the bureau to 23.
On Dec 28 last year, 10 police officers in Bangkok applied for the posting and their applications were accepted.
Because the applicants from Bangkok exceeded the number required from the MPB, a lot was drawn to select only nine of the 13 who volunteered yesterday.
Pol Lt Col Rianchai Laotee, of Bang Chan police station, said he had served in the city for a while and it was time for a change.
“I want to get first-hand experience there. I’ve only heard about the situation in the South from the media and I want to know how it is,” he said.
Bangkok police chief Khamronwit Thoopkrachang said the posting is of great significance because it is critical for national security.
“We want skilled investigators there, especially in security-related cases, so we can bring culprits to justice,” he said.
Pol Lt Gen Khamronwit also thanked the city police for demonstrating their dedication to the job by volunteering, which saved the MPB from being disgraced.
The policy of selecting the investigators by drawing lots caused an uproar among some officers who described the method as unfair. They threatened to go to the Administrative Court over the issue.
“The situation isn’t as bad as thought. You will need time to adapt. Don’t be terrified,” Pol Lt Gen Khamronwit said.
“If I have a chance, I’d love to go back and serve there.” The officers who lodged a petition against the policy will face a disciplinary investigation.
Source: Police fill 150-officer quota by deadline | Bangkok Post: news
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