'Seoul Police' Marked Patrol Cars to Run in Seoul City Starting May

Traffic Patrol Car Marking Change from Police (POLICE) to Seoul Police (SEOUL POLICE)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Autonomous Police Committee announced on the 1st that from May, 148 traffic patrol vehicles will change their markings from ‘POLICE’ to ‘SEOUL POLICE’ and will be running on roads throughout Seoul.

This project, initiated in March in cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, follows the implementation of the autonomous police system on July 1 of last year. It aims to raise public awareness and perception of the autonomous police and to boost the pride of public officials performing autonomous police duties.

For the next six months, the ‘SEOUL POLICE’ marked patrol vehicles will be operated on a trial basis. After analyzing improvements in public perception and promotional effects, and revising related laws and regulations, the plan is to expand this to all 805 patrol vehicles across Seoul.

Kim Hak-bae, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Autonomous Police Committee, said, “This is the first step in 77 years since the establishment of the police to become an institution that carries out community policing more familiar to citizens.” He added, “Through organic cooperation between Seoul City and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, we will actively strive to create a safe Seoul that Seoul citizens can truly feel, in line with the implementation of the autonomous police system.”