Police Considering Expanding Special Promotion Scope to Superintendents, Signaling Potential Personnel System Changes

The government is considering a plan to expand special promotion opportunities for the Superintendent rank, equivalent to police station chiefs. This suggests a potential overhaul of the entire police personnel system. Under the current 'Police Officials Promotion and Appointment Regulations,' special promotions have been limited to Senior Superintendents, the rank immediately below Superintendent. However, discussions are underway to broaden this scope to include Superintendents.

According to the National Police Agency, the expansion of special promotion eligibility is being reviewed with consideration for parity with other public organizations, such as the military. This move signifies a shift in the personnel system, following the introduction of the Senior Superintendent special promotion system in August 2023.

Superintendents are key executive ranks in the police command structure, positioned below Deputy Commissioners General, Commissioners General, and Senior Commissioners General. They head individual police stations or major departments within the National Police Agency and provincial police agencies, bearing responsibility for organizational operations and on-site public security. As of 2024, there are approximately 687 Superintendents out of a total police force of about 130,000.

Within the police force, the discussion on expanding special promotions has generated expectations for rewarding meritorious individuals and boosting morale, but also concerns about undermining promotion fairness and personnel equity. Whether the system will be implemented, along with its specific criteria and procedures, is expected to be the focus of future debate.