Thanh Hoa Police from innovative thinking to a model of national administrative reform

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - The 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People's Public Security (Public Security) Traditional Day (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025) is an opportunity for the entire force to review the glorious historical journey, recognize and spread typical examples and creative models that have made important contributions to the cause of protecting national security and maintaining social order and safety. In that flow, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Police have had strong breakthroughs in both thinking and action, becoming a leading reform model in the entire force.

Thanh Hoa Police from innovative thinking to a model of national administrative reform

The following article is a profound reminiscence and heartfelt sharing of Lieutenant General, Associate Professor, Dr. Dong Dai Loc, former Deputy Director of the General Department of Police, Ministry of Public Security , who once held the position of Director of Thanh Hoa Provincial Police. With an insider's perspective, the article not only vividly recreates a period of comprehensive innovation of Thanh Hoa Police, but also draws valuable lessons for the cause of building a revolutionary, disciplined, elite, and modern Public Security force in the new era.

We would like to respectfully introduce to our readers!

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the People's Public Security Forces' Traditional Day (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025), looking back at my career, I cannot forget a special period, the time I held the position of Director of Thanh Hoa Provincial Police from early 2004 to late 2010. That was the period when the country entered the process of innovation and deep international integration, and it was also the period that marked a breakthrough in leadership, management and administrative reform thinking in the Thanh Hoa police force, contributing to shaping pioneering models for the entire police force.

I am fortunate to succeed Major General Trinh Xuan Thu, an outstanding, courageous, dedicated leader, former Deputy Director General of the General Department of Security, who left a solid foundation in professional work and force management. Continuing that spirit, we identify reform, modernization and being close to the people as pillars that need to be strongly promoted.

Reforming thinking - one step ahead

In the late 90s of the last century, when the country entered the integration period, administrative reform became an urgent requirement, especially in the early 2000s, when the whole country changed deeply towards serving the people. Thanh Hoa Police pioneered a new way of thinking: "Police serve the people" instead of "managing the people". With the viewpoint "if you want to go far, you have to go first", Thanh Hoa Police chose its own path: not waiting for orders from superiors, but proactively exploring, experimenting, and putting the interests of the people at the center.

From that mindset, we implemented Project 83 - a comprehensive administrative reform program, with a series of unprecedented initiatives in the police force at that time. Things that seemed very small but had a great impact: from establishing a hotline for consulting on administrative procedures via phone, to improving the process of issuing ordinary passports, registering motorbikes and cars by random numbers to fight against negativity; publicizing the progress of processing records on the electronic information portal; holding online meetings, commanding and directing, and strongly decentralizing to district and commune police in receiving and processing administrative records.

A resident of Lam Son Ward, Thanh Hoa City (now Hac Thanh Ward) shared: “I only need to call to get specific instructions on the procedures, no longer having to run back and forth many times. The officials are very gentle and straightforward, not as arrogant as before.”

In particular, the fire prevention and fighting management model was decentralized to each residential area, organizing practical training for local forces, and at the same time promoting the movement of "Fire prevention and fighting for all people". These reforms not only reduced the burden on the apparatus but also eliminated the gap between the police and the people, gradually shifting from the model of "administrative management" to "administrative service", a concept that was still very new at that time. In 2007, at the National Conference on administrative reform in the People's Public Security, Minister of Public Security Le Hong Anh affirmed: "Thanh Hoa Police is the leading unit in administrative reform, truly putting people at the center of service".

Building the image of a humane soldier

Along with administrative reform is the campaign "Building humanity in the Thanh Hoa police force". The main idea is: bravery is a necessary condition for fighting, but humanity is the foundation to keep the people's trust. We institutionalize that idea into a code of conduct, emulation criteria, monthly inspection and evaluation content, not just slogans. Many simple but touching stories are recorded: soldiers helping people harvest rice to escape the storm in Thach Thanh district; police officers of Muong Lat district carrying patients across streams during floods; a working group rescuing a pregnant woman at night in Hoang Hoa district. A Thai village elder in Quan Son once said in a mass mobilization meeting: "Police officers are now not only security guards, but also like family members - knowing how to ask and care for the people. Our people cherish officers like their children and grandchildren."

Emulation movement - the key to promoting innovation

We always consider emulation as the internal driving force of all successes. Movements such as: "Tightening discipline, enhancing professionalism", "Exemplary leadership, diligent cadres", "Looking to the grassroots, building safe residential areas in terms of security and order" are organized systematically from the objectives to inspection, summary and reward. In particular, the forum "Police listen to people's opinions", an initiative of Thanh Hoa Police to directly dialogue and promptly handle shortcomings at the grassroots level, has proven to be outstandingly effective. This model is highly appreciated by the Ministry of Public Security and replicated nationwide as an effective method of mass mobilization.

Ensuring security and order - comprehensive proactive thinking

Thanh Hoa is a province with borders, sea, forests, plains, cities, a large population, many social components, always at risk of instability. We thoroughly implement the mindset: "Do not be surprised by passivity", strengthen situational awareness, early forecast, build a widespread people's security posture. A breakthrough initiative is to establish a grassroots security force, with the People's security team as the core, the village, hamlet, and street protection team as the direct implementer, enjoying support from the budget. Build "Safe residential areas in terms of security and order" with villages, hamlets, and streets as safe "fortresses". This policy has now been included by the National Assembly in the Law on Forces Participating in Protecting Security and Order at the Grassroots Level, deployed nationwide, demonstrating the vision of the Thanh Hoa police force.

Command and training of cadres - the key to reform

We believe that a leader must not only manage by orders, but must also be someone who inspires and ignites the spirit. We often go directly to districts and communes, attend meetings, listen to feedback, resolve problems at the root, protect cadres who dare to think, dare to do, dare to take responsibility; and strictly handle violations of public ethics. Along with that, training, testing and using young cadres are considered key. We set promotion criteria not based on personal relationships, but a combination of collective assessment, transparency and actual work efficiency. Many cadres who were directly assigned tasks by me during that period have now become key leaders in the Provincial Police and high-ranking units.

Expensive lessons for today and tomorrow

Looking back at a period of profound and comprehensive reform of Thanh Hoa Police, we can draw timeless lessons:

1. Every effective innovation starts with the thinking of the leaders. If we do not dare to think differently, do differently, and engage in difficult tasks, we cannot create real change. Reform must come from practical needs and the desire to serve the people.

2. Putting people at the center of service is not just a slogan, but must become the standard in every model, procedure, and behavior. People's satisfaction is the highest measure of the success of the police force in every period.

3. Building the image of a humane police officer, close to the people, understanding the people is the foundation to maintain security from the grassroots. Courage helps overcome challenges, but humanity helps maintain the people's trust in the long term.

4. Competition must be linked to reality, focusing on work efficiency rather than formality. A competition movement is only meaningful when it promotes innovation in thinking and behavior.

5. The training and use of young cadres must be transparent, impartial, and evaluated based on their actual abilities. The force can only develop sustainably when it knows how to discover, nurture, and make fair use of talent.

6. Every initiative is valuable when it is implemented and institutionalized. Good models, if summarized and legalized, will contribute to spreading long-term value throughout the industry and society.

Those lessons, although drawn from a specific period, still have value for today and tomorrow, becoming valuable assets for the Thanh Hoa police force to continue to develop strongly, professionally, elitely, modernly, serving the Fatherland and the People.

The above results have created a strong transformation for the Thanh Hoa police force: 10 consecutive years of being awarded the Excellent Emulation Flag by the Government. In particular, in 2008, the Thanh Hoa Police was honored to be awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces in the Renovation Period (1998-2007) by the State, a noble award recognizing a breakthrough period in thinking, action and overall effectiveness.

Lieutenant General, Associate Professor, Dr. Dong Dai Loc

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/cong-an-thanh-hoa-tu-doi-moi-tu-duy-den-hinh-mau-cai-cach-hanh-chinh-toan-quoc-257082.htm