Myanmar Needs More Policemen: Senior Govt Official

Myanmar is in need of more policemen. Senior government officials say the country's police force lacks manpower. Major General Aung Thu, deputy minister of Home Affairs said the current police to people ratio is 1 to 650. He said the force has received approval to appoint about 30,000 officers and over 140,000 of lower ranks.

"But there are only about 15,000 officers and 70,000 personnel of lower ranks. With one policeman for every 650 people, 700 policemen need to be recruited every month or 8,400 a year." Maj Gen Aung Thu said the ministry had recruited over 7,800 personnel in 2018.

The Ministry also revealed that crime, in the past three years, had risen and the majority of the cases with the likes of murder and rape. Maj Gen Aung Thu said crime is one of the biggest challenges that a nation with nascent democracy faces. "Nearly 70 per cent of police are deployed in Yangon and Mandalay regions which have cities with the highest crime." He added efforts are being made to enact the Myanmar Police Forces Law.