Gyeongbuk Police Under Heon-su Park Launched... Setting Two Pillars of "On-Site Speed" and "Investigative Credibility"

Inauguration of the 40th Chief of Gyeongbuk Police

Reinforcing On-Site Command through Triple-Layered Communication

Declaring a "Ban on Inquiries about Cases" Principle

Emphasizing Fair Investigations and a Transparent Organizational Culture

Heon-su Park, the 40th Chief of Gyeongsangbuk-do Police Agency, outlined his vision upon assuming office, emphasizing "prompt on-site response," "meticulous internal communication," and "fair investigations."

Amid heightened investigative responsibilities for the police, his plan is to strengthen on-site response capability while also upholding investigative independence and fostering trust within the organization.

Park Heonsu Appointed Chief of Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency "Quick Response on Site, Detailed Communication, and Fair Investigation"
[Photo by Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency]

On September 3, Chief Park began his first day by paying tribute at the Gyeongbuk Police Memorial Park. He then held his inauguration ceremony virtually with the attendance of the agency's leadership and representatives of staff.

Park identified three core principles for Gyeongbuk Police to pursue: "speedy policing," "activation of a three-tier communication system," and a "ban on inquiries about cases."

The concept of "speedy policing" refers to deploying police force efficiently from the initial stage of an incident so that residents can tangibly experience prompt on-site response.

He also stressed improving intra-organizational communications to enhance the effectiveness of initial response measures.

By activating a "three-tier communication system"—in which station chiefs, main departments, and operational lines share information in real time—he aims to ensure a multifaceted response to incidents and accidents.

In the investigative sphere, Park placed "fairness" at the forefront.

As investigative authority for the police has expanded, Park underscored the need to enforce the "ban on inquiries about cases" principle to prevent unnecessary misunderstandings or controversy over external interference in case handling. The aim is to secure public trust not only in investigation results but also in the entire investigative process.

He set "leading by example" as the starting point of organizational management.

Park emphasized that only when the Chief and all members fully embrace their roles and responsibilities and act "befitting police standards" can Gyeongbuk Police Agency truly meet the expectations of the public.

He also placed significant weight on employee working conditions and organizational culture.

He expressed his intention to listen proactively to on-the-ground challenges and employees' voices, stating, "Employee satisfaction leads to public satisfaction."

He stated his aim to implement personnel appointments and promotions according to fair and transparent principles so that all members can work with pride in the organization.

Chief Park's decision to foreground "speed, communication, and fairness" from the outset reflects his determination to redefine police performance—not merely as arrest statistics, but as encompassing on-site responsiveness, the credibility of investigations, and a sense of responsibility among staff.

In particular, given the wide jurisdiction and the mix of urban and rural areas in Gyeongbuk, whether prompt response to reports and information sharing among command, operations, and investigative departments function seamlessly in the field is expected to serve as a key indicator of the agency's policing capability under Park's leadership.

"Employees Must Be Satisfied for the Public to Be Satisfied" Emphasis on Fair and Transparent Personnel Management and Field-Oriented Organizational Culture
[Photo by Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency]

Chief Park, a native of Iksan, Jeonbuk, joined the police as the 44th cadet class in 1996 and has since served as Chief of Iksan Police Station, Head of the Investigation Division at Incheon Police Agency, and Deputy Director of the 2nd Division at the Joint Drug Crime Investigation Headquarters.

Both inside and outside the Gyeongbuk police, attention is now focused on how Park, who has extensive investigative experience, will firmly embed the dual pillars of strengthened on-site response and investigative fairness across the organization.

The message Chief Park delivered on his first day in office was closer to the basics of policing than to grand slogans: respond quickly to reports, communicate closely on the ground, and ensure that no external influences interfere with investigations.

Ultimately, the key issue will be whether these three principles are reflected in the behavior of frontline officers and translate into policing that the province’s residents can truly feel. This is why the first step of the 40th Gyeongbuk Police Agency, which puts "speed, communication, and fairness" at the forefront, is attracting attention.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.