A panel assigned to scrutinise a bill on police reform has decided to include certain criteria for appointments to various positions to make sure no changes can be made to favour certain individuals.
Panel member Kamnoon Sidhisamarn said the new rules will be applied to the appointments of commissioned officers which are required to comply with three criteria -- length of service in each post, the regions they serve in, and a merit system.
According to Mr Kamnoon, length of service is deemed a prerequisite for appointments.
To qualify for promotion, police officers must complete a minimum number of years service. The length of service requirement applies all the way up to national police chief but the minimum number of years for each post vary.
To qualify as a police inspector, an officer must serve as a deputy inspector for at least seven years while candidates for inspector-general must have served as an assistant police chief for at least two years, he said.
"Applying this criteria, a police officer has to serve at least 33 years in the force to qualify to be a candidate for national police chief," he said.
Mr Kamnoon said the length of service in each post has to be addressed in the bill to prevent tweaking of the rules in favour of some individuals.
He noted there had been attempts to revise rules on appointments and promotions to give certain candidates an edge over others.
However, he said the two other criteria -- regions they serve in and the merit system -- still need further consideration. However, the appointment of police inspectors all through to deputy commanders must be chosen from a pool of candidates serving in the same region.
On the merit system, he said each police officer will have personal scores based on seniority, performances and public approval.
Under the current system, appointments and transfers are handled by the Police Commission and consideration is based on the commission's rules and traditional practices.
The panel assigned to scrutinise the bill on police reform is chaired by Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Meechai Ruchupan. It is expected to observe six frameworks laid down by the prime minister.
They are the new structure of the police force; its scope of power and responsibilities; promotions and transfers; budget allocation; the use of forensic science; and welfare benefits for police officers.
