MP spotlights Yangon’s unbalanced police-population ratio
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Some townships in Yangon Region face an unbalanced ratio of police and citizens, according to MP Yan Aung, a member of the Judicial, Rule of Law, Complaints and Appeals Scrutinising Committee in the Yangon Region parliament.
The committee conducted a survey at courts, law offices and police stations in 12 townships, starting from August 1.
The townships are Dagon Myothit (East), Dagon Myothit (North), Mayangon, Hlaing, Kamayut, Thanlyin, Kyauktan, Hmawbi, Taikkgyi, Botahtaung, Pazundaung and Sanchaung.
“According to the international standard, the police-population ratio is 1:400. But here in Yangon, the ratios in the townships range from 1:1,000 to 1:2,000. The unbalanced ratio may cause problems as one police officer has to deal with between 1,000 and 2,000 people,” MP Yan Aung said.
According to the survey, the ratio in Dagon Myothit (East) is 1:2,200; 1:1,700 in Dagon Myothit (North); 1:1,190 in Mayangon; 1:1,100 in Hlaing; 1:1,700 in Kyauktan; 1:1,084 in Taikkyi; 1:567 in Botahtaung; 1:700 in Pazundaung; 1:803 in Kamayut; 1:2,130 in Hmawbi; 1:1,700 in Thanlyin and 1:1,007 in Sanchaung.
“The police force is in need of more police staff. Many townships see an unbalanced ratio. In some townships, action will be taken only when people inform police stations about cases... The fact that many youths are found in jails is a problem,” he said.
