Police job-buying: Taking the issue seriously

With police superintendent jobs allegedly sold for 5-7 million baht, once again denials that seem flimsy given mounting evidence.

POLICE REFORM

Police job-buying scandal damages Prawit

14/06/2017
Soonruth Bunyamanee

Allegations of position buying in the police force were once again made this week.

The reaction of Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon has been a major letdown to the public.

General Prawit is the regime's "big brother" who oversees police affairs.

ACCUSATIONS OF POLICE POSITION-BUYING

Gen Prawit tersely denied the allegations of police position buying, which initially came from former Democrat MP Witthaya Kaewparadai.

Mr Witthaya alleged that more than 50 million baht had likely been spent on position buying in the annual round of police transfers and promotions in 2016.

POLICE SUPERINTENDENT JOB: GOING PRICE 5-7 MILLION BAHT

According to Mr Witthaya, the price to secure a superintendent position could reach as much as 5 million baht to 7 million baht.

A police inspector position could range from 1.5 million baht to 2 million baht.

He pointed a finger at Provincial Police Region 8, which oversees the southern provinces, saying dozens of officers are known to have paid money to their superiors to be promoted but not all were given their desired posts.

POSITION BUYING IS 'RAMPANT', GENERAL PRAWIT LOOKS NAIVE

The former Nakhon Sri Thammarat MP said position buying is rampant.

Meanwhile, Gen Prawit said he has no idea how position buying in the police force can possibly have taken place.

He also encouraged those aware of or involved in the practice to report any wrongdoing.

He said he had confidence in his subordinates that everything is above board.

Yet such remarks make Gen Prawit look naive to many onlookers.

STANDARD EVASION TACTIC OF POLITICIANS: SHOW THE EVIDENCE (WHICH DOES NOT EXIST)

Hours after General Prawit made the remarks, national police chief Chakthip Chaijinda signed an order to transfer Pol Lt Gen Thesa Siriwatho, the Provincial Police Region 8 commander, to an inactive post and ordered an investigation into Mr Witthaya's allegations within 15 days.

The deputy prime minister's reaction to this scandal is reminiscent of politicians' reactions.

When faced with similar accusations in the past, politicians have demanded evidence -- such as receipts they knew did not exist.

None have bothered to find information that would disprove the allegations.

THE CORRUPT DO NOT LEAVE RECEIPTS AS EVIDENCE

But it is well known that those involved in corruption, bribery or position buying never leave any evidence, especially receipts.

Isn't it the duty of government officers or law enforcers to find evidence to counter those allegations?

Gen Prawit's initial reaction to the position-buying allegations was comparable to trying to tackle crime by calling on criminals to surrender to authorities.

If such measures actually worked, there would be little need for a police force.

POLICE POSITION-BUYING: CONFIRMED BY SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS

Yet the deputy premier admitted Tuesday that the commander of Provincial Police Region 8 was transferred to an inactive post to allow for an inquiry into his alleged role in position buying within his unit.

Position-buying in the police force seems to be an issue we must deal with repeatedly.

Several senior police officers have confirmed that it does happen.

They include former national police chief Seripisuth Temiyavej and Pol Maj Gen Wisut Wanichbutr, an outspoken officer who ended up resigning from the police force.

LAST YEAR'S CASE: INDIRECT EVIDENCE POSITION-BUYING EXISTS

Last year, a police captain in Bangkok lodged a complaint against a colleague whom he accused of deceiving him into paying 700,000 baht for a promotion.

That colleague claimed he was connected to a top police officer who could land him the job.

This case may have been a swindle, but how could a police officer who received a monthly salary of no more than 30,000 baht afford 700,000 baht if he was not confident that such a practice of police position-buying existed and that his offer would not go unanswered?

SECTION 44: POLICE APPOINTMENT PROCESS DECENTRALIZED TO FIGHT POSITION-BUYING

Early this year, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha invoked the special power of Section 44 to reorganise the police appointment process to prevent position buying.

Under the order, the procedure was decentralised with the formation of committees tasked with candidate screening.

Those who feel they have been treated unfairly when it comes to promotions can lodge complaints with the Justice Ministry's anti - graft centre.

The order authorises the police chief, or an assignee of commissioner rank or higher, to approve senior appointments.

Before these are approved the names of officers shortlisted for promotion must be vetted by a screening panel from their respective unit, instead of sending all the lists to the Police Commission in Bangkok for consideration.

Although it remains unclear if the new process can effectively prevent position buying, at least it shows that such wrongdoing is a problem which needs to be rooted out.

GENERAL PRAWIT'S FUTURE?

Gen Prawit, as the regime's big brother, has gained much respect from high-ranking state officers and cabinet members, including the prime minister.

He is supposed to act as a role model, taking full responsibility for state problems. The public expects him to tackle these problems rather than let the problems go unsolved.

There are rumours that the 71-year-old deputy prime minister, who is reportedly in poor health, might give up the position of defence minister and retain only the deputy prime minister post.

Yet his poor handling of the police scandal seems to suggest he should consider taking a rest.

Soonruth Bunyamanee is deputy editor, Bangkok Post..

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1268163/police-job-buying-scandal-damages-prawit

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