AUXILIARY police officers, led by at least one police officer, will soon be empowered to take enforcement measures, according to a regulation that will take effect in December.

According to the rule, which has been passed by the local legislature, auxiliary police officers can question, apprehend and detain suspects, as well as collect evidence for administrative cases under the leadership of a police officer to ensure public security.

They can independently take actions to prevent criminal activities, handle appeals, patrol, maintain crime scenes, guide traffic and dissuade traffic violators, the regulation states.

The auxiliary police are employed with formal contracts by public security organs and governments at or above the county level; the authorities should systematically manage a team of auxiliary police of a “reasonable size” in line with social and economic development.

The regulation sets strict requirements to qualify as an auxiliary officer. It requires an applicant to have received professional college education and be over the age of 20 or at least high school education if they are retired from military service. They must acquire a professional degree within at most four years of being recruited. If they fail to get the degree, their contracts will be terminated upon expiration.

Police are required to improve the auxiliary police’s training and establish an evaluation system that influences salary increases and promotion opportunities. Outstanding individuals could be honored in accordance with stipulations and police organs should ensure that the auxiliary police enjoy full social insurance, labor protection and salary benefits.

The salary of an auxiliary police officer won’t be lower than the average salary of employees in the city.

Shenzhen is facing a shortage in its police force. As an auxiliary force to police, the number of police auxiliary officers in the city has reached 40,000, which is more than double the number of police officers.

(Han Ximin)