The Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau asked residents Tuesday to be nice to police officers as 212 cases have emerged this year in which they have been attacked by residents.
The law enforcement bureau's plea illustrates the reluctance that traffic police and patrolmen have toward engaging with unruly residents, despite carrying pepper spray, batons and other equipment for maintaining order.
"Most of the officers who are attacked are traffic police officers or patrolmen at police stations. They deal with residents face-to-face, so they have a greater chance of being abused on the job," said Ye Jianchao, a police press officer.
In one case, a traffic officer surnamed Chen with Huangpu district police was assailed by a drunken scooter driver during a traffic stop, according to a press release from the Shanghai Public Security Bureau. Chen suffered injuries to his face and head during the incident, but managed to subdue the driver with the help of passing residents.
Landmark building should respect the public's feeling