New top cop to focus on crime prevention

PHUKET: Phuket’s new top cop has vowed to focus his attention on crime prevention instead of crime suppression.

Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Teeraphol Thipjaroen will be taking the reins as the island’s top policeman on Friday when Provincial Police Commander Patchara Boonyasit is transferred to Ratchaburi.

The transfer is part of a nationwide reshuffle of top provincial-level officers that was signed off by National Police Chief General Chakthip Chaijinda.

“Though we will continue to tackle problems as they arise, our focus will be on preventing such problems from happening in the first place,” Col Teeraphol said. “We will continue to arrest small-time drug users and other petty criminals to prevent their criminal activity from growing into more serious threats to society.”

Col Teeraphol also promised to keep an eye on any mafia activity on the island.

“Police have investigated and arrested suspects allegedly involved in mafia-related crimes. Now we are focusing on preventing these activities from reoccurring,” he said. “We can do this through building strong relationships with the local community, and being a police force that people know they can rely on.”

— Chutharat Plerin