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Published on July 8, 2007

"Police work is the precursor to subsequent steps in the judicial process and has been plagued with criticisms about human-rights violations and abuse of power - such as more than 2,000 deaths relating to the war on drugs," he said.

Surayud said he expected the restructuring and de-centralisation of the national police to bring about better and just law enforcement.

"The key to restructur-ing is increased public

participation in police work in order to ensure accountability and efficiency," he said.

The reform process will lead to improved service at police stations nationwide and ensure well-qualified professionals at the non-commissioned level, he said.

The credentials of officers will be on a par with public prosecutors and judges, he added.

Democrat Party deputy leader Alongkorn Pollabutr said the government should quickly allay the concerns of 240,000 police officers fearing change.

Alongkorn said he was certain two police-reform bills would be amended extensively, hence there was only a slim prospect of their passage during the life of this administration.

If the Democrat Party won the mandate to form the government after the general election, he promised it would push forward police restructuring.

Police Systems Reforming Subcommittee chairman General Kraisuk Sinsuk said yesterday an opinion survey among officers was being assessed.

"The next step is public hearings in each region," he said.