Success stories

On February 9, the Điện Biên Provincial Police Investigation Agency, in coordination with Keo Lôm Commune Police (Điện Biên Đông District), successfully persuaded a wanted fugitive to surrender. The individual, Thào A Chua (born in 1991), residing in Keo Lôm I Hamlet, Keo Lôm Commune, had been wanted for unlawful detention by the Mường Nhé District Police Investigation Agency.

Back in June 2023, Chua and a group of accomplices were involved in a debt collection case in Phứ Ma Hamlet, Leng Su Sìn Commune (Mường Nhé District). In an attempt to enforce the debt, the suspect engaged in illegal detention. Fearing criminal liability, Chua fled the area in October 2023. On January 29, 2024, the Mường Nhé District Police formally charged him with unlawful detention.

Lieutenant Colonel Giàng A Sếnh, Chief of Keo Lôm Commune Police, stated: “Upon receiving the request for cooperation, our officers engaged with the suspect’s family, understanding their concerns and persuading them to encourage the suspect to surrender voluntarily. Through community-based dialogue and legal awareness campaigns, we successfully convinced him to turn himself in.”

Similarly, with the active role of local security forces, the Mường Chà District Police recently apprehended a theft suspect. According to police records, at 9:30am on November 7, 2024, while conducting routine patrols, the Security Team of Phiêng Đất B Hamlet, Nậm Nèn Commune, in coordination with the Commune Police, caught Quàng Văn Dọn (born in 1989, residing in Quyết Tiến Hamlet, Tủa Chùa Town) red-handed as he attempted to steal valuables. Authorities confiscated approximately 73 grams of gold and nearly VNĐ 25 million in cash from the suspect.

Màng Văn Trung, Head of the Phiêng Đất B Hamlet Security Team, shared: “Before the incident, we had received images of a suspect involved in multiple theft cases. Acting on this information, our team monitored the area closely. Upon confirming his presence, we immediately alerted the commune police, who swiftly moved in to arrest him on the spot.”

These cases are just two examples among many successful operations led by the Điện Biên Provincial Police, highlighting the crucial role of commune police and grassroots security teams.

In 2024, provincial law enforcement recorded significant achievements, including 79 additional drug-related cases and 66 more arrests compared to 2023; 15 cases and 17 individuals caught in possession of illegal weapons, explosives, and prohibited materials; over 1,600 illegal firearms voluntarily surrendered by civilians (a 76% increase from 2023); 92.46% of reported criminal cases successfully investigated (exceeding the Ministry of Public Security’s target by 2.46%); a 6.6% reduction in social crime rates compared to 2023 (surpassing the Ministry’s target by 1.6%).

Additionally, local police efforts in combating religious extremism and cult activities have led to 32 households renouncing the “Bà Cô Dợ” cult, three individuals abandoning the “Almighty God” cult, one individual leaving the “Pháp Môn Diệu Âm” sect, one household and three individuals quitting the “Grace of Salvation” movement, 42 people rejecting the “Tâm Linh Hồ Chí Minh” belief system, and preventing the publicization of two controversial spiritual groups attempting to disguise their activities as cultural and historical organizations.

Strengthening local security networks

In line with Resolution No. 12 of the Central Public Security Party Committee and Directive No.11 of the Ministry of Public Security, which emphasize enhancing commune and township police forces, the province has deployed 818 full-time officers across 115 communes and five townships, achieving an average staffing level of 6.8 officers per unit.

To further enhance local security operations, the Điện Biên Provincial Police has deployed 140 investigative officers to 129 commune, ward, and township police units and increased personnel at district and commune levels. By the end of 2024, the personnel distribution across provincial police levels was as follows 35.95% at the provincial level, 32.92% at the district level, and 31.12% at the commune level.

Significant investments have also been made to improve infrastructure, equipment, and operational efficiency. Namely, 80 out of 120 commune police units now operate from independent headquarters, with the remainder expected to be completed in 2025. Modern communication, transportation, and surveillance equipment have been provided to enhance operational effectiveness.

With the guiding principle of “prevention as the primary strategy,” commune police officers actively monitor security situations, identify threats, and implement preventive measures to curb crime and social unrest.

Additionally, 1,446 grassroots security teams, consisting of 4,338 members, have been officially established to support law enforcement efforts. The province has also maintained 4,261 community-based security organizations, fostering 34 exemplary security models that promote public engagement in crime prevention.

To maximize public participation in security efforts, local police regularly communicate crime trends and security updates through community meetings, direct consultations, and public awareness campaigns. This collaborative approach has enabled law enforcement to receive crucial intelligence from residents, leading to timely interventions, successful arrests, and the dismantling of emerging crime networks.

Currently, the Điện Biên Provincial Police is finalizing restructuring plans to streamline personnel distribution across all units, following the strategic framework of “Comprehensive at the provincial level, strong at the grassroots level.” District-level police forces are working closely with provincial authorities to evaluate and implement structural adjustments, ensuring efficient and effective law enforcement across all jurisdictions.