Essay
Japanese Police Box
System
‘Which countries do you imagine if you are
asked ‘Where is the safest country?’’ I’m sure most of you would answer
‘Japan’. Well, let’s look at statistical data and see whether our feeling match
to the truth. Japan is famous for its very low crime rate compare to other
countries in the world. Japan has 127 million people, yet street crime is almost
unheard, and the use of drugs is minimal compared to other industrialized
countries. Also, Japan's homicide rate has been steadily decreasing since the
1950s. Today, Japan has one of the lowest homicide rates in the world. Second
lowest after Spain. The country's homicide rate is associated with a stable and
prosperous society with low inequality and high levels of development. One of
the lowest homicide rates is archived by the effort of Japanese police sector. According
to the police data, 98 percent of homicide cases are solved. It is an
undisputed fact that Japanese police has achieved a remarkable safe society compared to other
industrialized countries. Although the top of the police organization in Japan
is the Metropolitan Police Department, these result is also thanks to Japanese police box system.
Japanese community police force in police
stations is mainly composed of officers posted at police boxes (Koban) or
residential police boxes (Chuzaisho). It’s
a Japan’ unique system. Koban began as small shelters for Tokyo's
fledgling police service in the 1880's back in the modernizing Meiji Period of
Japan's history. Koban is a small
neighborhood police station, placing near major transportation hub and shopping
area and in residential district. Koban also refers to the smallest
organizational unit in today's Japanese police system. In addition to central
police stations, Japanese uniformed police work is done from small buildings
located within the community, a form of community policing. Staffed by officers
working in eight-hour shifts, they serve as a base for foot patrols and usually
have both sleeping and eating facilities for officers on duty but not on watch.
Some community police officers in a police
station are assigned to police guard posts, check posts and police
station-based patrol units. Chuzaisyo, in rural
areas, are usually staffed by one police officer who resides in adjacent family
quarters. These officers endeavor to become a part of the community, and their
families often aid in performing official tasks. There are more than 14,000 Koban
and Chuzaisyo all over Japan, and about 20 percent of the total police officers
are assigned to them.
There are three
main work of the community police. First, to become part of the local community
and engage in activities that are closely related to the daily life and the
safety of residents. Second, to let community residents know about the presence
of police officers and carry out neighborhood watch and prevention activities
such as patrols. Third, to be the first to respond to any emergencies. For most
community residents, community police officers are both tough crime fighters
and friendly protectors. They call them “omawari-san” with a degree of respect
and affection. The term conveys the image of someone who is gentle but strong,
like a big brother or uncle.
The police service
should aim for the safety and security of community residents and therefore
should include patrols and other activities which make the police close to the
public. This is the reason why Japanese police adopted the police box system,
which includes a wide deployment of police officers in communities all over the
country. It enables the police to grasp the security condition of each
community and the opinions, needs, and worries of the residents. From the
viewpoint of crime control, this means that the Japanese police system aims for
prevention of and deterrence against crime by keeping in touch with community
residents, giving guidance, and conducting law enforcement for relatively minor
violations and disorderly conduct. In this way, "policeman" get trust
from resident and they contribute to the safety of the residents’ life. Also,
by patrolling, it is not to deal with the crime, but to prevent the crime.
Koban system has gained
a high reputation in the world. It was exported to Brazil (Sao Paulo), which
has held the Olympic in 2017. Sao Paulo is one of the most dangerous areas of
Brazil. In this area, the number of murders that occurred in a month was over
40. (examined in 1995) However, after incorporating the Koban system, it
reduced to three indicate in a year after. Japanese police box system is
amazing. It was also exported to Taiwan, tourism, Singapore, Hawaii and
Indonesia, to help maintain local security. It is clear that this system is one
of the most successful international contribution. Koban and Chuzaisyo should
be export to all over the world. It is sure that they would help us make a
peaceful world.
Reference;
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