Shanghai Cops: They’re watching you

Shanghai Cop

Yes, they’re everywhere.

Shanghai’s finest, its hierarchy of police men and women, district security guards (协管) and traffic cops are out in full force. In fact, there are so many of them, you’d think they’ve shipped them in from other cities and provinces.

If you are in the financial district in Lujiazui (陆家嘴) in Pudong, you’d notice that police are lined up along all the roads in this area. (By the way, this place shuts down after 5pm today, don’t even think about coming over here.)

The professional police force are mostly younger men and smart looking in their navy suits, helmuts and riding boots. They cruise around on nice shiny motobikes or BMW 5 Series, recently introduced for the Expo.

The district security guards (协管) tend to be older men who also wear navy suits and white helmuts, but ride around on a dinky e-bikes. (That’s a pair of them above, whom I like to call Starsky and Hutch).

Traffic police are attired in mud brown suits paired with reflector vests. The force is made up of mostly older men and women in their late 40s or early 50s, who carry ubiquitous jars of tea and when congregating at breaks, look like a gathering of jolly aunts and uncles.

Shanghai’s finest are dedicated to making the city safe and will be watching your every move. So why not stop them and say hello?

Thank them for their fine work while they frisk you and ask you for your passport.

Give them a hat tip as they hustle you across the busy streets.

And heck, why not give them a hug to see if they’ll bundle you in the back of the police van parked round the corner.

So … welcome, welcome! Are you all ready for the Expo?

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5 Comments

  • Reply April 30, 2010

    Adam Daniel Mezei

    Please tell me you’re not seriously considering giving them a hug…have you ever? 🙂

    • Reply May 1, 2010

      Sue Anne

      No, I was just kidding around. They’re good people. I chatted with a few in the past weeks. The only tough looking ones are the PLA roped in on the first few days of Expo. Don’t want to hug or mess with them for sure.

  • Reply May 1, 2010

    Hans

    Just one of the things that scares me in China. All the police people all over the streets.

    • Reply May 1, 2010

      Sue Anne

      They’re quite harmless, really. I was just writing in jest. Proud they are of the city, so enjoy yourself!

  • Reply May 1, 2010

    Meghal

    They are actually harmless. but language is a barrier…had a chance of riding in a cop’s car in feb this year and also visiting one of their local offices..quite welcoming for foreigners and expats..
    GOOD JOB..

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