The Police

[Bruce551]

Deadly graft in police force

* Published: 15/03/2010 at 12:00 AM

* Newspaper section: News

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/34462/deadly-graft-in-police-force

The death of Pol Col Sompien Eksomya by a bomb in Yala province last week was a sad and serious murder. The officer was in the last months of a long, dedicated career. He had served his country and people in far-flung regions in a truly heroic manner. But the emerging story behind this tragic death casts an appalling shadow over the Royal Thai Police, its commanders and the government ministers in charge.

Indeed, to put it bluntly, it appears that Pol Col Sompien died because he had neither the personal influence nor the money to buy the post he deserved, out of the line of fire.

The death of the brave police colonel by an insurgent's bomb in the deep South should emphasise the credibility and urgency of similar, serious allegations by senior officers just a month ago. That was when three policemen halted the annual police reshuffle by lodging complaints that they failed to get assignments they had apparently earned. Two police colonels and a lieutenant colonel lodged complaints with the office of the chief that they were assigned to "second class police stations" despite stellar performance reports. In other words, like the late Pol Col Sompien, they were shunted aside because they lacked the cash needed to buy an assignment.

There were predictable reactions from the police hierarchy at the complaints. Pol Gen Pateep Tanprasert and other top officers insisted on keeping the problem "in house" where they could control it, and recommended setting up a committee to investigate the allegations. The first step would be to determine if the charges of demands for graft in exchange for promotions and assignments were true.

Well, of course, every adult Thai can guess the truth. This allegedly has long been part of the culture of the police department, under many chiefs and governments. If the top police generals appear to be shocked at such charges, they are better actors than commanders.

The grim reality within the police department is that subordinates reputedly pay superiors for the necessary backing which brings promotions and attractive or meaningful assignments.

There are certainly many exceptions - honest police officers who refuse to play this dirty game. But the practice is said to be widespread.

The case of Pol Col Sompien is clearly as tragic as it was heroic. And there is no doubt of the officer's heroism. His entire career was in hardship positions, mostly in the South. "The fighter at Budo mountain", a Songkhla native, had asked superiors, then Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for a compassionate reassignment from dangerous Banang Sata district. After 40 years, he wanted to transfer to his home province of Trang and work until his official retirement on Oct 1. He was turned down, and an insurgent bomb took his life.

Investigative reporting by a journalist at Isra Institute of the Thai Press Development Foundation revealed that Pol Col Sompien openly believed he was given dangerous assignments because he lacked the tea money necessary for a less stressful post. He was one of 10 officers who applied for the position in Trang, and told friends in and off the force that he had neither the connections nor cash to "buy" the position.

There is a way to honour the tragic death of this undoubtedly brave and honest policemen. That is to begin immediately a serious, independent investigation to uncover the depth of the corrupt practice of buying positions within the police force.

Then, it will be necessary to purge the senior officers involved, cut ties with corrupt, enabling politicians, and make the Royal Thai Police an honest organisation. Prime Minister Abhisit should start this action by explaining his role in the events that led to the death of Pol Col Sompien.

There is opportunity for Thais to pressure Abhisit and demand reform of the national police force. Almost all Thais are disappointed with police force corruption.

Yet, I get the feeling that most Thais are indifferent toward taking active role in the changing the status quo.

Khun Korn is right?

Maybe it is because the majority of Thais do not sufficiently care about truth and justice. As long as our businesses are doing well and there is food on the table, we Thais appear willing to live with corruption.

:?:

[Crustyjuggler]

There is opportunity for Thais to pressure Abhisit and demand reform of the national police force. Almost all Thais are disappointed with police force corruption.

Now that would be a worthy demonstration, but unfortunately Thais never seem to act on their 'own' good will and certainly don't have any icon willing to take the reigns of such a noble cause. There is no financial gain regarding morel issues so why bother.

Khun Korn is right?

Maybe it is because the majority of Thais do not sufficiently care about truth and justice. As long as our businesses are doing well and there is food on the table, we Thais appear willing to live with corruption.

summed up nicely... of course he's absolutely right.