China’s public security minister pledges to rein in abuse of powers by police
Commitment comes amid public outcry over death in custody of a Beijing environmental scientist
China’s minister in charge of the police has vowed to crack down on abuse of power by officers amid widespread public concerns prompted by the death of a man in custody in Beijing earlier this month.
Some experts have said laws are needed to specify the limits of police powers when placing people in detention.
Minister of Public Security Guo Shengkun urged police bureaus around the country to understand the “significance and urgency” to standardise law enforcement practice after President Xi Jinping chaired a meeting to discuss the issue, Xinhua reported on Sunday.
Police in Beijing to investigate officers allegedly involved in death of man in custody
Guo also called for better training to boost legal literacy and law enforcement capacity among all police officers, especially those at local levels.
“[We need] … to educate the whole police force to consciously respect the law, study the law and abide by the law and to strictly standardise law enforcement to ensure justice,” Guo was quoted as saying.
Police bureaus across the country must come up with detailed plans and deadlines to enforce this order, Guo said.
That comments came after the death of 29-year-old Lei Yang on May 7 in Beijing.
Lei was detained by plainclothes officers outside a foot massage parlour for allegedly soliciting prostitutes.
About 50 minutes after he was taken into custody he was sent to a nearby hospital with no signs of life.
Family of man who died in police custody in Beijing files complaint alleging abuse
His family then filed a complaint to the Beijing municipal prosecutor’s office, accusing police of intentional injury, abuse of power and forging evidence, after seeing extensive injuries on his body.
Lei’s mysterious death and Changping district police’s handling of the case – insisting Lei had solicited a prostitute and offering contradictory accounts of their actions – have angered the public.
Social media sites have been flooded with comments criticising the misuse of police power and expressing fears over police brutality.
