Police force expanded last year

Police force expanded last year

Following reports of Burmese police officers undergoing training in China last month, a Burma-watcher told S.H.A.N. the number of police battalions had ALSO increased during the year 2001.

The source in Chiangmai, who requested he be kept anonymous, said the number had grown from 9 to 16, adding nearly 3,000 officers and other ranks to the force headed by Director-General Soe Win.

"All the battalions, both old and new, are in Burma proper, Arakan and Mon states," he explained. As for other states, each township has a station about 30-strong in addition to anti-narcotics and criminal investigation units.

"In the Shan State, they also have a special combat force, mainly made up of Kokang ceasefire group personnel," he added.

Other details provided by him:

Police Battalion Location Officers Others ranks Total

1. # 10 Magwe Division 33 367 400

2. # 11 Pegu Division 34 385 419

3. # 12 Sittwe (Akyab) 32 345 377

4. # 13 Buthitaung 30 331 361

5. # 14 Plake 33 376 409

6. # 15 Mon State 33 407 440

7. # 16 Tada-oo 33 407 440

According to a Democratic Voice of Burma reporter, Burma's police force follows directions from the Myanmar Police Force Management Committee chaired by Lt-Gen Kyin Nyunt.