Public security ministry reviews 2016 performance

The forces also discovered and dealt with 16,823 economic crimes, 224 corruption and 3,319 smuggling cases, 17,622 environment law violations, and busted 18,742 drug crimes. 

The ministry reported that 11 public security officers killed and 274 others were injured on duty during the year.

More than 148,500 individuals and units of the forces have received certificates of merit from the Party, State, authorities at all levels for their contributions. The campaign “All people safeguard national security”, a joint effort with ministries, agencies and localities, has been spread nationwide.

Minister of Public Security To Lam also said the sector has done well in advising the Party and State on strategic issues and ensuring the absolute safety of major political events and activities of Party and State leaders. 

Answering reporters’ queries about the hunt for former Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of southern Hau Giang province Trinh Xuan Thanh, Deputy Chief of the Police Department, Maj. Gen Pham Van Cac said the police are closely working with the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) and other countries on the hunt. 

Minister To Lam, for his part, denied rumours about a leak of information that prompted Thanh and several officials from the Ministry of Industry and Trade to flee abroad. 

About tasks next year, the minister said the ministry has directed serious and effective implementation of the resolution on Party building and rectification adopted by the fourth plenum of the 12th Party Central Committee. 

The ministry will continue coordinating with other ministries, sectors and all-level administrations to ensure public security and combat crimes with the support of the entire political system and the public. 

The ministry will also expand ties with security and police agencies in other countries while pushing forward with efforts to build modern, strong and transparent public security forces, he stated.