[Interview] Cho Hyunjin, Chief of Suwon Paldal Police Station: "Center of Advanced Scientific Policing... Proactively Blocking Stalking and Dating Violence"

Paldal District Has High Demand for Policing... Real-Time CCTV Integration
Installation of Circuit-Type Fitness Test... Strengthening On-Site Response
A Police Station Where Going to Work Is Enjoyable... Building the Paldalier Organizational Culture

"Police officers must be problem solvers who address issues on the ground."

On August 1, Cho Hyunjin, Chief of Suwon Paldal Police Station, expressed her ambition to simultaneously enhance the protection of vulnerable groups and crime prevention capabilities through smart policing that integrates scientific technology into the field. Suwon Paldal Police Station, the 260th police station in the country and a key location filling the public safety gap in southern Gyeonggi, is also gaining attention as a leading model for scientific policing.

Cho Hyunjin, chief of Suwon Paldal Police Station, is being interviewed by Asia Economy at Suwon Paldal Police Station on the 1st. Photo by Yoon Dongjoo

In an interview with Asia Economy held at Suwon Paldal Police Station, Chief Cho stated, "Our police station will serve as a testbed for proactively applying research and development achievements in the field," and added, "I want to contribute to proving the effectiveness of scientific policing and spreading it to other police stations."

Suwon Paldal Police Station promotes itself as an "advanced police station based on scientific policing." Chief Cho explained, "We will link up in real time with the Suwon City CCTV Control Center to immediately grasp situations on the ground and enable rapid dispatch," and added, "We also plan to actively utilize advanced technology for police officer safety, such as a smart health management system for officers, bulletproof outer vests, and medium-sized shields to prevent knife attacks."

Cho Hyunjin, chief of Suwon Paldal Police Station, is being interviewed by Asia Economy at Suwon Paldal Police Station on the 1st. Photo by Yoon Dongjoo

Paldal District in Suwon City is an area with high public safety demand, as 95,423 out of 293,492 emergency 112 calls received in Suwon last year were concentrated there. Chief Cho said, "Areas with a high concentration of entertainment venues, such as Suwon Station and Ingye-dong, are experiencing increased demand for policing due to relationship-based crimes, while many tourists are drawn to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and Haenggung Palace. On days with major events at Suwon World Cup Stadium, there is also a sharp increase in traffic-related civil complaints."

Regarding the recent series of stalking and dating violence cases, Chief Cho stated, "When signs of crime appear or there is concern about an initial occurrence, it is fundamental to conduct thorough review and analysis to predict and assess the possibility of escalation into crime," and added, "We will implement the most effective protective measures possible, such as providing personal protection devices and issuing restraining orders."

Chief Cho mentioned that discussions about establishing Suwon Paldal Police Station began in earnest after major violent crimes such as the 2012 Oh Wonchun case and the 2014 Park Chunpoong case. She said, "The police have developed technology to precisely locate those requesting rescue on their own. If a crime occurs, we will respond with all-out efforts and enforce the law strictly."

Cho Hyunjin, chief of Suwon Paldal Police Station, is being interviewed by Asia Economy at Suwon Paldal Police Station on the 1st. Photo by Yoon Dongjoo

Additionally, Suwon Paldal Police Station has installed a "circuit-type physical fitness test area" in cooperation with the Central Police Academy. Chief Cho explained, "Unlike the previous monotonous fitness tests such as the 100-meter sprint, sit-ups, push-ups, and grip strength, the circuit-type test requires officers to complete tasks like jumping over a 1.5-meter barrier, vaulting over a pole hurdle, dragging a 72kg dummy, pushing and pulling, and firing within a set time limit." She added, "Since fitness is measured by the time taken to complete all missions, it will be both an opportunity to assess one's own fitness and a new challenge."

Chief Cho refers to the staff at Suwon Paldal Police Station as "Paldaliers." She explained, "Paldaliers are a group of professionals with deep understanding, passion, and competence regarding public safety in Paldal District. I will fully support them so that they can enforce the law with confidence and be a reliable friend to the vulnerable, starting with myself." She continued, "When I am happy, I become more attentive to the emotions of my colleagues and the public. I want to create an organizational culture where people look forward to coming to work together."

Chief Cho stated, "Only when a police station is staffed by problem solvers who effectively address issues on the ground can it earn public trust. We will focus all our capabilities on supporting the Paldaliers, and for issues that are limited by laws, systems, or policies, we will actively resolve them in cooperation with the National Police Agency and Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency. We will become a warm-hearted police station that always puts citizens first and a trustworthy police station that stands firmly by your side in dangerous moments."