[MZ Police Officer] "Bread Given by Citizens, Source of Strength"... The Youngest Officer's Work Diary at Seocho 2 Police Substation

Residential and Entertainment Districts... Routine Domestic Violence Response
High Workload... Self-Requested Deployment for Capacity Building

Editor's NoteGeneration Z is coming. It is an era where newcomers in their 20s and 30s decide the future of organizational culture. The police are no exception. The police have various departments such as criminal investigation, investigation, security, intelligence, traffic, administration, public relations, audit, and women & youth. The working environments differ across city and provincial police offices, police stations, riot police units, and local police substations, and the tasks vary greatly by region. From the perspective of the youngest police officers, we introduce their departments and hear vivid stories about their thoughts on work and life.

At around 9 p.m. on the 21st, in the food alley of Gangnam-gu, Seoul, the bustling weekend district was alive with intoxicated people. Police Officer Shin Hoyong (32), who had just gotten out of the patrol car, scanned the crowded alleys. This area, filled with bars and restaurants, is a hotspot for disputes among intoxicated individuals and cases of dine-and-dash. Checking for motorcycles going the wrong way on one-way streets to prevent possible traffic accidents is also part of Officer Shin's duties.

During patrol, when some college students in their 20s approached to ask for directions, Officer Shin's previously tense expression briefly softened. While guiding them toward Sinnonhyeon Station, Officer Shin warmly said, "Study hard and become a good person." Though careful in surveying the scene, sometimes like a neighborhood elder brother, Officer Shin, now in his fourth year of service, embodies the true image of a police officer.

Police officer Shin Hoyong of Seoul Seocho 2 Police Substation is addressing and resolving citizens' on-site complaints in the Gangnam Station food alley on a weekend night.

Residential and Entertainment Districts Concentrated... Strengthening Capabilities Amid High Work Intensity

The Seocho 2 Police Substation under the Seocho Police Station in Seoul, where Officer Shin is assigned, is known for its high work intensity even within Seoul. This is because entertainment districts and residential areas are adjacent, causing incidents and accidents to occur simultaneously. Typically, 20 to 30 reports are received during the day, and 50 reports at night. Especially, the section from Sinnonhyeon Station to Gangnam Station is densely packed with entertainment pubs and bars, resulting in a large number of intoxicated person reports. From Gangnam Station to Yangjae Station, residential facilities such as officetels are concentrated, making it an area with frequent noise complaints, dating violence, and domestic violence cases.

Officer Shin applied for assignment to Seocho 2 Police Substation knowing these characteristics. He wanted to develop the ability to respond quickly when incidents or accidents occur. The lessons learned from seniors during his eight months at Seocho Police Substation right after appointment also left a strong impression. At that time, the police officers at Seocho Police Substation taught the virtue of flexibility to the first-year rookie officers.

Officer Shin said, "In the early days of my service, I responded to incidents by strictly following principles and booking suspects. Eventually, I realized that police capability comes from experience in dealing with people. After completing two years with the riot police unit, I applied to the busy Seocho 2 Police Substation," he said.

Police Officer Shin Hoyong of Seoul Seocho 2 Police Substation is being interviewed by Asia Economy in the office.

The Seocho 2 Police Substation divides its jurisdiction mainly into residential and entertainment areas, with four teams taking turns patrolling. With the implementation of the central district police station system, the duties of Seocho Police Station and Seocho 2 Police Substation were integrated, forming eight teams with about 110 officers, while the other four teams patrol areas around Nambu Bus Terminal Station and Gyodae Station.

Since being assigned here in February, Officer Shin has been having hectic days. Due to the two-shift system, the first 30 minutes after starting work are focused on handover between day and night shifts. Above all, he carefully checks the equipment contained in the police vest. Once work begins, he responds to an average of 10 reports during night shifts and about 3 during day shifts. During the year-end season, when year-end parties are frequent, the Gangnam food alley area becomes even busier with crowds. Officer Shin explained, "Once I confirm that handcuffs, electronic whistle, radio, and work phone are in the vest, I get into the designated patrol car and start patrolling the jurisdiction. Even if no reports are received, I remain on standby within the area."

"Affinity and Flexibility Are the Know-How"... A Police Officer Strong in the Field

Due to the nature of the jurisdiction, densely packed with entertainment pubs, responding to incidents and accidents is not easy. Especially, mediating disputes among intoxicated individuals is the biggest challenge. Officer Shin recalled, "Recently, a report came in about a man and woman fighting while intoxicated, and four officers were dispatched. We had to separate the two immediately, but both sides were emotionally charged, making it difficult to take action. We persuaded them as much as possible and sent them home."

Police Officer Shin Hoyong of Seoul Seocho 2 Police Substation (left) and Lieutenant Kwon Obin are patrolling the Gangnam Station food alley on a weekend night.

There have been countless times when Officer Shin was dispatched multiple times to wake up an intoxicated person. He said, "There was a report of a citizen sleeping on the street, so I helped wake them up. After that, the citizen kept falling asleep while moving along the street, so I was dispatched three times in total, and finally, I handed them over to a lodging facility."

When facing such difficulties, Officer Shin pulls out his secret weapon: flexibility and affinity. Citizens who were causing disturbances despite police intervention calm down with just a word from Officer Shin. He said, "I apply different approaches depending on the personality and characteristics of the citizens. When I meet elders on site, I respectfully ease tensions by gently patting their shoulders, and when younger citizens strongly resist police orders, I require them to maintain politeness."

"Sincerity in a Bread Bag"... Gaining Strength from Citizens' Thank-You Notes

The reason Officer Shin can work so passionately is thanks to the citizens. When the field is tough and exhausting, he recalls a bag of bread given by a citizen to steady his mind. He explained, "Recently, a citizen came to the substation saying there seemed to be a burglary at their home. I advised them to calmly check the CCTV first and handle the situation." He continued, "The next day, the situation was resolved well, and the citizen brought bread to the substation. As a public official, I had to refuse the gift, but it was a very proud moment."

When asked to define police work in one word, Officer Shin paused briefly before answering "rapid response." He smiled and said, "When citizens call, we respond to any crime scene. We always want to bring safety and peace to the side of the citizens."