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Crime and Policing in China

NCJ Number
178346
Author(s)
Li Xiancui
Date Published
1998
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Crime and policing in China are discussed, with emphasis on the types and functions of police, crime patterns and trends, and policing strategies to address drug-related crimes and other crimes.
Abstract
The Chinese police system has five components: (1) the public security police, (2) the State security police, (3) the prison police, (4) the judicial police in people's procuratorates, and (5) judicial police in the people's courts. Police have the power to arrest, detain, interrogate suspects, and administrative impose coercive and punitive measures on individuals and organizations who breach the Regulations Governing Offenses Against Public Order in People's Republic of China. The police recorded 1.69 million criminal cases and 2.96 million minor offenses in 1995. They cleared 1.35 million criminal cases. Drug-related crimes have increased in recent years. The current socioeconomic conditions also make it attractive for organized gangs to operate in China and for other criminals to perpetrate fraud. Efforts to address drug-related crimes include both policing strategies and legislation. The correctional approach for drug law offenses includes the use of work to educate and reform drug users convicted of criminal offenses and to rehabilitate non-criminal drug users. China is experiencing changes and reforms in every sphere, including policing. Figures, notes, and 14 references