Urgency and responsibility at the grassroots level

At 8:30am on a Saturday, the headquarters of the Điện Biên Phủ ward Police is still bustling with residents coming to complete administrative procedures. Tasks like renewing ID cards, vehicle registration, and driver’s license renewal are handled quickly and efficiently.

Và Thị Pà, an ethnic minority resident from Pa Pốm village, expressed concern over how she would navigate administrative procedures going forward. “I’m worried about things like my driver’s license and especially my ID card”, she said.

Understanding public concerns, the Điện Biên Phủ ward Police immediately took action. On the very first day of duty, officers were assigned to visit neighborhoods, coordinate with community leaders, and reassure residents about the upcoming changes. At the station, even outside official working hours or on weekends, officers remain ready to assist those traveling from remote areas to avoid multiple trips.

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Lieutenant Colonel Quàng Văn Xiến, Deputy Chief of the Điện Biên Phủ ward Police, shared: “We’ve been dealing with a significant workload in these first days, but our entire team remains committed to fulfilling our duties, especially in maintaining local security and safety.”

In Sáng Nhè commune, now operating under the new model, the local police force manages two working locations. The main office in Pằng Dề B hamlet handles full services including traffic registration and management, residence registration, weapons and explosives handover, and criminal reports. A second site, located at the former Phình Sáng commune office in Háng Khúa, handles residence-related procedures and weapons surrender as well.

Captain Phạm Tuấn Việt, Chief of Sáng Nhè commune Police, explained: “The commune was formed by merging Xá Nhè, Mường Đun, and Phình Sáng, bringing the total to 3,476 households and over 19,000 residents. Given the wide administrative area and difficult road conditions, only procedures involving official seals, such as vehicle registration, must be handled at the main office. All other services are available at both locations to minimize travel and wait times for residents.”

In a region with a large ethnic minority population, digital literacy remains limited. As a result, commune police officers must be patient in explaining procedures and guiding residents through digital systems.

Mùa A Giao, a resident of Phình Sáng village, Sáng Nhè commune, shared: “I’m older, and I struggle with administrative tasks, especially on the VNeID app. But the police officers explained things thoroughly and helped me complete my household separation procedure quickly.”

Cracking down on crime

The transitional period in administrative restructuring poses challenges for grassroots law enforcement. It’s also a time when criminals may seek to exploit perceived instability. Maintaining public order during this shift is both critical and complex.

On July 7, just one week into the new two-tier system, police in Mường Thanh ward caught Trần Văn Tư (born 1975, from Điện Biên Phủ ward) in possession of illegal drugs. He admitted to buying the drugs for personal use. Authorities are currently completing the case file for prosecution.

Nguyễn Văn Hưng, Chairman of the Mường Thanh ward People’s Committee, emphasized: “To ensure uninterrupted public security during this sensitive transition, the police have worked closely with local authorities. This cooperation has been key to stabilizing the situation and earning public trust - an essential foundation for the successful operation of the new governance model.”

With a focus on serving the people, managing the locality, and preventing crime, commune and ward police are actively collaborating with other local forces and organizations. Their goal: a secure and stable environment where residents can live and work with peace of mind.