Beijing police launched their Olympic security training
programme in April. Part of the city's Olympic security scheme, the
programme involves more than 100,000 police, armed police, security
guards and volunteers. It will run until July 2008, finishing in
good time for the Olympics opening ceremony.
Zhao Yuan, chief of Education and Training Division of the
Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, who is in charge of the
implementation of the programme, said that as follows:
How will the training programme be carried out?
The programme is divided into three phases. The first phase,
from April to December 2006, is focused on basic skills. The second
phase will last throughout 2007, when police will receive training
in simulated conditions. The last phase, between January and July
of 2008, will carry out field exercises in real conditions.
The programme includes a wide range of different subjects, such
as protection of VIPs, security for large-scale gatherings,
anti-terrorism and anti-riot exercises, information collection,
foreign language and foreign culture training, social etiquette
etc.
We have both strategic training outlines for each year, and
detailed monthly drill plans. Each training section has a specific
timetable.
How many government departments and people will take part in the
training programme?
The work units involved include the Beijing Municipal Public
Security Bureau, the Beijing Municipal Firefighting Bureau, the
Ministry of National Security, the Headquarters of the General
Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), the armed
police forces, security departments of embassies and customs. More
than 100,000 people, including police, armed police, security
guards and Olympic volunteers, will receive training over the next
two years, and nearly 1,000 drill masters will provide different
courses.
What's the security plan for sports venues?
We have drafted different plans for each venue. These plans are
marked by A, B, C, and D levels with security standards from high
to low. The four levels require different numbers of police and
quantities of equipment. Training courses for venue security will
be carried out based on different plans and we have both individual
and comprehensive drills. Every risk and emergency that we can
predict will be covered in our training.
How does the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau co-operate
with foreign counterparts in Olympic security training?
We follow the principle of "going out and inviting in" in
security training, learning from successful experiences and the
usual practices adopted by our foreign counterparts whose cities
have hosted the Olympics.
For example, experts engaged in Olympic security training from
the United States, Australia and Greece have visited Beijing many
times and given lectures about their experiences. Experts from
Germany who took part in the security training for the World Cup
have also provided many good suggestions. We also send police
officers to the United States, Canada, Australia and other
countries to learn about advanced security ideas and working
methods.
How about the foreign language training programme?
The Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau launched a foreign
language training programme in 2001 with the aim that more than 60
per cent of Beijing police will be able to talk with overseas
visitors in basic foreign languages. Besides English, some other
major languages such as French, German and Arabic will also be
taught.
By the end of 2005, about 17,500 police had been awarded the
Beijing Oral Foreign Language Certificate, nearly 40 per cent of
the total number. It is estimated that by the end of 2007, more
than 60 per cent, or nearly 30,000 police, will have received the
certificate.
We have also sent a number of police to study abroad. So far, 46
officers have earned master degrees from Westminster University in
Britain, another 47 officers have received master degrees from the
University of Canberra in Australia. Other officers have studied in
universities in Germany and France.
We have noticed that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers
have participated in the training. What role will the PLA play in
the Olympic security scheme?
The PLA is the task force in combating terrorist attacks.
Anti-nuclear and anti-biochemical drills are included in this
year's training. Besides the PLA, some police officers will also
take such training.
How about the air police patrol?
Beijing police is preparing an air task force to help deal with
terrorist attacks and other security emergencies. We are also
planning to build aircraft parking areas near venues.
(China Daily July 14, 2006)