Circular No. 18/2007/TT-BCA guiding the work of competition and reward for village police forces, neighborhood watch, and the nationwide people's security protection movement.

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for competition and reward work for village police forces, neighborhood security guards, and the nationwide movement to protect national security and social order.

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Based on the Law on Competition and Reward dated November 26, 2003 and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward;

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Based on Decree No. 136/2003/NĐ-CP dated November 14, 2003 stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Public Security;

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After reaching consensus with the Central Steering Committee for Competition and Reward, the Ministry of Public Security hereby provides guidelines for awarding commendations to village police forces, neighborhood security guards, and the competition and reward work for the nationwide movement to protect national security and social order as follows:

Part 1:

GENERAL PROVISIONS

I. SCOPE OF REGULATION

This Circular guides the implementation of awards and criteria for awarding commendations to individuals and groups of village police forces and neighborhood security guards (excluding regular police forces) according to Clause 2, Article 11 of Government Decree No. 121/2005/NĐ-CP; it also specifies the organization of competition movements, target groups, and criteria for various forms of rewards; authority, decision-making, procedures, and documentation for granting rewards for the nationwide movement to protect national security and social order.

Regular police forces and public security officers and staff are not subject to rewards under this Circular.

II. PRINCIPLES OF COMPETITION AND REWARD

1. Principles of competition: Voluntary, self-awareness, transparency; unity, cooperation, and mutual development. The awarding of commendation titles must be based on registered targets and the results of the competition movement. Those who do not register for competition will not be considered for commendation titles.

2. Principles of reward: Rewards should be given to individuals and groups with achievements in protecting political security and maintaining social order and safety (hereinafter referred to as security and order) accurately, transparently, and fairly; rewards should be based on achievements and the extent of their impact; achievements determine the level of reward; one form of reward can be awarded multiple times to one recipient, except for the Commendation Medal "National Security Protection" which can only be awarded once to each recipient; rewards should combine spiritual encouragement with material incentives; rewards should primarily focus on small groups and individuals.

3. Cases Not Eligible for Consideration or Awarding of Rewards

a) Individuals who have been absent from work for more than two months in a year (forty days or more, excluding holidays according to regulations) shall not be considered for commendation titles.

b) Groups and individuals currently under disciplinary action or being investigated for disciplinary action or legal proceedings shall not be considered for commendation titles or rewards.

c) Groups and individuals whose legitimate complaints or reports are pending investigation or whose negative publicity has not yet been clarified shall not be proposed for commendation titles or rewards.

Part 2:

FORMS, CONTENT, AWARDS, AND AWARD STANDARDS FOR COMPETITIONS

I. FORMS AND CONTENT OF COMPETITIONS

1. Forms of organization and scope of competitions

a) The Minister of Public Security launches nationwide campaigns for all citizens to protect national security. Additionally, based on specific characteristics and circumstances at each stage, the Minister of Public Security may launch specialized competitions regarding the protection of national security and public order.

b) Heads of public security units and localities advise the Chairpersons of People's Committees at the same level, leaders of relevant agencies and units to launch and assess awards or propose awards for nationwide campaigns to protect national security, and specialized competitions for protecting national security and public order, in accordance with guidelines from People's Committees, higher-level public security agencies, and the specific characteristics and circumstances of their locality or unit.

2. Main contents of competitions: Mobilizing and organizing all citizens to actively and conscientiously comply with the Party’s policies and State laws on national security and public order; participating in preventing, detecting, reporting, and combating various types of crimes and social evils, protecting State assets, collective assets, and the lives and property of the people; participating in building core forces to protect national security and public order at the grassroots level.

3. Responsibilities of agencies, organizations, and units launching competitions

a) Based on competitions launched by superiors, agencies, organizations, and units shall develop plans, clearly defining objectives, scope, subjects, targets, slogans, and methods to organize and implement competitions within their own jurisdiction;

b) Organize competitions in conjunction with labor, production, study, work, combat, and other competitions; encourage and motivate everyone to voluntarily and enthusiastically compete to fulfill them;

c) Supervise, inspect implementation, conduct mid-term and final reviews of competitions;

d) Identify, promote, and disseminate exemplary models and outstanding examples for learning and replication;

e) Effectively implement reward policies within their authority.

II. OBJECTS AND STANDARDS FOR COMPETITION AWARDS

1. Objects and standards for competition awards for communal police forces and town police forces not belonging to regular police forces (hereinafter referred to collectively as communal police); Civil Defense Ward members.

a) Awards include:

- For individuals: "Outstanding Soldier", "Commendation Soldier at the Grassroots Level", Commendation Soldier at the Provincial Level, "National Commendation Soldier".

- For groups: "Advanced Unit", "Victory Unit", Flag of Merit from the Provincial People's Committee.

b) Objects eligible for award consideration:

- For individuals: Chiefs of Communal Police, Deputy Chiefs of Communal Police, Police Officers in communes who receive monthly salaries and allowances as stipulated in Decree No. 40/1999/NĐ-CP dated June 23, 1999 of the Government; Chiefs of Civil Defense Wards, Deputy Chiefs of Civil Defense Wards, Civil Defense Ward Leaders, and Civil Defense Ward Members who receive monthly allowances as stipulated in Decree No. 38/2006/NĐ-CP dated April 17, 2006 of the Government (excluding individuals currently working in agencies and enterprises already eligible for annual individual commendation awards).

- For groups: Communal Police; Civil Defense Wards.

c) Standards for individual awards:

- The "Outstanding Soldier" award is granted to individuals meeting the following criteria:

+ Mastering professional knowledge and skills according to their responsibilities, completing assigned tasks well according to the annual program and plan and the requirements of the unit;

+ Adhering to Party policies and State laws, maintaining strict discipline, complying with work procedures and systems, demonstrating self-reliance, unity, mutual assistance, and active participation in competitions launched by People's Committees and public security agencies at all levels;

+ Actively studying politics, culture, professional knowledge, and skills;

+ Having a healthy lifestyle;

+ Receiving at least 70% approval votes from the grassroots unit;

+ For Chiefs of Communal Police and Chiefs of Civil Defense Wards, the units they oversee must meet the standards for "Advanced Unit" awards or higher during the year.

- The "Commendation Soldier at the Grassroots Level" award is granted to individuals meeting the following criteria:

+ Being an "Outstanding Soldier";

+ Demonstrating technical innovations or applying effective operational methods to increase work efficiency, or showing bravery, creativity, and initiative in work, training, combat, and support services, actively mobilizing the masses to participate in nationwide campaigns to protect national security, and completing assigned tasks excellently. Technical innovations must be recognized by the Science Council (Innovation Council) at the grassroots level (the establishment of the Innovation Council is decided by the head of the agency or unit);

+ Receiving at least 80% approval votes from the grassroots unit;

+ For Chiefs of Communal Police and Chiefs of Civil Defense Wards, the units they oversee must meet the standards for "Victory Unit" awards or higher during the year.

- The Commendation Soldier at the Provincial Level award is granted to individuals with outstanding achievements among those who have consecutively received three "Commendation Soldier at the Grassroots Level" awards; achievements that have significant influence at the provincial level.

- The "National Commendation Soldier" award is granted to individuals with outstanding achievements and significant influence at the national level. Standards are implemented according to the Law on Competitions and Rewards and Decree No. 121/2005/NĐ-CP of the Government.

d) Standards and awards for groups:

- The "Advanced Unit" award is granted to groups meeting the following criteria:

+ Completing all registered competition targets and assigned tasks in the annual program and plan of the unit;

+ Consistently effectively implementing nationwide campaigns to protect national security and other competitions launched by People's Committees and public security agencies at all levels;

+ More than 50% of individuals in the unit receiving "Outstanding Soldier" awards, with no individuals receiving disciplinary actions of warning or higher;

+ Internal unity, adhering to Party policies and State laws.

- The "Victory Unit" award is granted to groups meeting the following criteria:

+ Demonstrating creativity and exceeding set targets for competitive activities and assigned tasks in the unit's annual program and work plan;

+ Consistently implementing the nationwide people's movement to protect national security and other competitive activities initiated by the People's Committees and Public Security authorities at all levels, achieving significant results and serving as models for other units;

+ All individuals within the unit successfully completing their assigned tasks, with at least 70% of them being awarded the title "Outstanding Soldier"; having at least one individual receiving the title "Competitive Soldier" and no individual being disciplined with a warning or higher;

+ Maintaining internal unity, setting exemplary standards, and strictly adhering to the Party's policies and State laws;

- The Provincial People's Committee Flag of Competitive Excellence will be awarded to leading collectives in the Public Security Village Police and People's Security Ward movements that meet the following criteria:

+ Exceeding all competitive targets and assigned tasks comprehensively; being outstanding examples throughout the province or centrally-administered city;

+ Consistently effectively implementing the nationwide people's movement to protect national security and other competitive activities initiated by the People's Committees and Public Security authorities at all levels. Introducing new factors and models for other units in the province or centrally-administered city to emulate;

+ Maintaining internal unity, leading efforts in thrift, anti-corruption, and combating social evils;

e) The competitive title is reviewed once a year, organized through evaluation and trust votes from the grassroots level:

For Village Police, Village Chief of Police, Deputy Village Chief of Police, and Village Police Officers, trust votes are taken within the Village Police collective, followed by the Village Chief of Police reporting to the Chairman of the Village People's Committee for review and recommendation according to authority;

For Ward Protection Team Leaders and Members, trust votes are taken within the Ward Protection Team; for Ward Protection Teams, Team Leaders, and Deputy Team Leaders, trust votes are taken within the Ward Protection Team, followed by the Ward Protection Team Leader compiling and reporting to the Chairman of the Ward People's Committee for review and recommendation according to authority;

g) Authority to decide and recommend the awarding of competitive titles:

- The Chairman of the Village People's Committee reviews recommendations from the Village Chief of Police and Ward Protection Team Leader to submit to higher authorities for the awarding of competitive titles to individuals and collectives in Village Police and Ward Protection Teams according to authority;

- The Chairman of the District People's Committee decides on awarding the titles "Competitive Soldier", "Outstanding Soldier", and "Advanced Unit" and recommends the Provincial People's Committee to decide or the Government to recognize competitive titles according to authority for individuals and collectives in Village Police and Ward Protection Teams meeting the prescribed criteria;

- The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee decides on awarding the Provincial People's Committee Flag, the title "Provincial Competitive Soldier", and "Victorious Unit" and submits to the Government for the decision to award the title "National Competitive Soldier" to individuals and collectives in Village Police and Ward Protection Teams meeting the prescribed criteria;

2. Competitive Titles for the Nationwide People's Movement to Protect National Security

a) The objects eligible for competitive titles in the Nationwide People's Movement to Protect National Security include: Collectives of villagers, cadres at village, ward, and town levels; collectives of cadres, workers, and employees of grassroots-level agencies and enterprises (having legal personality and separate seals) across all economic sectors. Each centrally-administered province or city may annually propose up to three flags for one village, one ward (town where regular police forces are stationed, and ward where they are not), and one agency or enterprise. Central-level agencies and enterprises may propose up to three flags for leading units;

b) The Ministry of Public Security awards the Excellent Flag to collectives meeting the following criteria:

- Exceeding all competitive targets and comprehensive plans and programs for crime prevention and ensuring public order and safety; introducing new factors and models for the Nationwide People's Movement to Protect National Security for other units to emulate; having a strong core force in security and public order work (awarded competitive titles from "Victorious Unit" or "Outstanding Labor Collective" upwards); being outstanding examples in the province or centrally-administered city or central-level agencies and enterprises;

- Effectively fulfilling political tasks at village, ward, and town levels, and agencies and enterprises; completing production and business plans, fulfilling state obligations, achieving high productivity, quality, economic efficiency, and work effectiveness;

- Having clean and strong Party organizations, administrative bodies, and mass organizations; maintaining internal unity; effectively implementing grassroots democracy regulations; organizing competitive activities, thrift practices, anti-corruption, anti-waste, anti-smuggling, and effective measures against social evils;

c) The Excellent Flag of the Ministry of Public Security is reviewed once a year, organized through evaluation and voting by the grassroots-level competitive council (village, ward, agency, enterprise), proposed by the General Director of the General Political Security Department, the General Director of the General Administration of Public Security Force Building, and the Directors of Public Security Departments of centrally-administered provinces and cities, and decided upon by the Minister of Public Security.

Part 3:

OBJECTS, FORMS, AND STANDARDS FOR REWARDING THE NATIONAL MOVEMENT FOR PROTECTING NATIONAL SECURITY

I. REWARD OBJECTS

Vietnamese citizens; officers and soldiers of the People's Army; officials, workers, and employees of national defense; reserve forces; self-defense forces; state agency collectives; political organizations, political-social organizations, political-social-professional organizations, social organizations, professional organizations; economic organizations belonging to various economic sectors; overseas Vietnamese, foreigners, foreign agencies and organizations, and international organizations in Vietnam who have achievements in the national movement for protecting national security shall be rewarded according to regulations (except for officers and soldiers of the People's Army; officials, workers, and employees of national defense, which only apply to sudden and specialized rewards regarding security work).

II. REWARD FORMS OF THE STATE PRESIDENT, GOVERNMENT, AND PRIME MINISTER

The Ministry of Public Security examines proposals for the State President, Government, and Prime Minister to reward Orders, Medals, National Honorary Titles, and Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister, and other forms of reward for individuals and collectives with outstanding achievements during the summary and final assessment phases of the national movement for protecting national security according to the Ministry of Public Security’s plan, or when there are particularly outstanding sudden achievements in security and order work as stipulated in the Law on Competitions and Rewards and Decree No. 121/2005/NĐ-CP of the Government.

III. REWARD FORMS OF PUBLIC SECURITY AUTHORITIES AT ALL LEVELS

1. Commemorative Medal "National Security Protection"

The Commemorative Medal "National Security Protection" is awarded to individuals with outstanding achievements in protecting national security according to Decision No. 838/2006/QĐ-BCA(X15) dated July 13, 2006, of the Minister of Public Security.

2. Certificate of Merit

The Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Public Security is awarded to collectives upon annual summary of the construction of the national movement for protecting national security; awarded to individuals and collectives upon mid-term and final assessments of special topics or for outstanding sudden achievements in security protection work.

a) Annual Summary Reward for the National Movement for Protecting National Security:

- Annually reward collectives of people and cadres at commune, ward, town levels; collectives of cadres, workers, and employees of grassroots-level agencies and enterprises (with legal personality and separate seals) belonging to all economic sectors that achieve excellent standards in the national movement for protecting national security as follows:

+ Fully complete all competition targets, programs, and plans for combating crime and ensuring security and order; have models and exemplary cases of the national movement for protecting national security; have a strong core force for security and order tasks (reaching commendation titles from "Advanced Unit," "Advanced Labor Collective" upwards); be exemplary collectives of provinces, centrally-administered cities, or central agencies and enterprises;

+ Well perform political tasks of communes, wards, agencies, and enterprises; complete production and business plans, fulfill obligations to the State, with high productivity, quality, economic efficiency, and work effectiveness;

+ Clean and strong Party and mass organizations, internal unity; well implement grassroots democracy; organize effective competitive movements, thrift practices, anti-corruption, anti-waste, anti-smuggling, and anti-social evils;

- The number of Certificates of Merit annually awarded by the Minister:

+ For provinces and centrally-administered cities: Not exceeding the total number of district-level administrative units (for centrally-administered cities, the number of Certificates of Merit does not exceed 120% of the total number of district-level administrative units);

+ For central agencies and enterprises (under the responsibility of the Security General Department): Not exceeding the total number of ministries and ministerial-level agencies under the Government.

- The annual Certificate of Merit is reviewed once during the annual work summary.

b) Special Topic and Sudden Reward:

- Award the Certificate of Merit from the Ministry of Public Security to individuals meeting the following criteria:

+ Outstanding achievements in implementing special topic work, competition campaigns in the national movement for protecting national security, or outstanding sudden achievements in performing security and order tasks, serving as exemplary role models within the province;

+ Excellently completing tasks; having good moral qualities; being united and exemplary in adhering to the Party's policies and State laws;

- Award the Certificate of Merit from the Ministry of Public Security to collectives meeting the following criteria:

+ Outstanding achievements in implementing special topic work, competition campaigns in the national movement for protecting national security, or outstanding sudden achievements in performing security and order tasks, serving as exemplary role models within the province;

+ Internal unity; well implementing grassroots democracy; organizing effective competitive movements;

+ Caring for the material and spiritual lives of members; practicing thrift;

+ Fulfilling all systems and policies for all members of the collective;

+ Clean and strong Party and mass organizations.

- The number of Certificates of Merit for each mid-term and final assessment of special topics and competition campaigns is decided by the leadership of the Ministry of Public Security.

3. Letter of Commendation

The Letter of Commendation is a form of reward given by the Heads of General Departments, Heads of Units directly under the Minister, and Provincial Public Security Directors for individuals and collectives upon annual summary of the construction of the national movement for protecting national security; upon mid-term and final assessments of special topics or for outstanding sudden achievements in security protection work.

a) Individuals eligible for a Letter of Commendation must meet the following criteria:

- Successfully completing duties and civic obligations; having good moral qualities; being united and exemplary in adhering to the Party's policies and State laws;

- Achieving accomplishments in performing professional duties, in implementing special tasks, during competition periods, or achieving outstanding achievements (for village police officers, enterprise security guards, and neighborhood watch guards); actively participating in building mass movements for national security protection or having outstanding achievements in safeguarding national security and public order (for all social strata).

- Continuously studying to improve professional and vocational skills (for village police officers, enterprise security guards, and neighborhood watch guards).

b) A collective eligible for commendation must meet the following criteria:

- Achieving accomplishments in performing professional duties, in implementing special tasks, during competition periods, or achieving outstanding achievements (for collectives of village police officers, enterprise security guards, and neighborhood watch guards); actively participating in building mass movements for national security protection or having outstanding achievements in safeguarding national security and public order.

- Internal unity; effectively implementing democratic regulations at the grassroots level; organizing well competition movements.

- Practicing thrift; caring for the material and spiritual lives of members; fully implementing policies and benefits for all members of the collective.

c) The number of annual commendation certificates; the number and type of commendations given according to special topics as stipulated by the competent authority.

Part 4:

AUTHORITY TO BESTOW AWARDS, PROCEDURES, AND APPLICATIONS FOR RECOGNITION OF MERIT

I. COMPETITION AND RECOGNITION COMMITTEES

1. Competition and recognition committees of People's Committees at all levels shall operate in accordance with the Law on Competition and Recognition; Decree 121/2005/NĐ-CP, and guiding documents from the Central Steering Committee for Competition and Recognition.

2. Competition and recognition committees of the Public Security shall assist their respective heads in launching competition movements, recognizing awards, or recommending awards for individuals and collectives with achievements in mass movements for national security protection. The Ministry of Public Security shall have specific regulations regarding the composition and operational mechanisms of competition and recognition committees and their assisting bodies at various levels.

II. AUTHORITY TO BESTOW AWARDS

The person authorized to decide on bestowing a title of honor or form of recognition shall directly present such award or delegate another to do so.

III. PROCEDURES AND APPLICATIONS FOR RECOGNITION OF MERIT

1. Documentation for bestowing titles of honor includes

a) Reports on achievements of individuals and collectives:

- For individuals, there must be confirmation, signatures, and stamps from the direct managing head, and confirmation, signatures, and stamps from the recommending level.

- For collectives, there must be comments, signatures, and stamps from the superior managing head and confirmation, signatures, and stamps from the recommending level.

b) Summaries of achievements of collectives and individuals;

c) Proposals from the recommending level;

d) Minutes of the evaluation meeting of the competition and recognition committee at the recommending level.

2. Documentation for recommending recognition includes

a) Reports on achievements of individuals and collectives:

- For individuals, there must be confirmation, signatures, and stamps from the direct managing head and confirmation, signatures, and stamps from the recommending level.

- For collectives, there must be comments, signatures, and stamps from the superior managing head and confirmation, signatures, and stamps from the recommending level.

b) Summaries of achievements of collectives and individuals;

c) Proposals from the recommending level;

d) Minutes of the meeting to evaluate recommendations for recognition by the competition and recognition committee at the recommending level. Specifically, for the title of Heroic Soldier of the People's Armed Forces, secret ballot results must also be included.

đ) For forms of recognition from Certificates of Merit by the Prime Minister upwards, there must be confirmation of tax obligations from the direct tax management agency for units required to pay taxes.

e) Documentation for recommending the award of the Commemorative Medal "For National Security Protection" shall be carried out in accordance with Decision No. 838/2006/QĐ-BCA(X15) dated July 13, 2006, of the Minister of Public Security.

3. Simplified procedures for recommendation

a) Cases meeting the following conditions may be recommended for recognition through simplified procedures:

- Recognition serving political needs, timely encouragement and motivation of the masses;

- Achieving outstanding achievements in combat, work, or participation in suppressing crime and maintaining social order and safety;

- Clear and evident achievements.

b) Documentation for recognition through simplified procedures includes:

- Proposals from the recommending level;

- A summary of achievements of the directly managing agency clearly stating actions, achievements, and merits for which recognition is sought through simplified procedures, confirmed by the recommending level.

4. The time frame for annual recognition of mass movements for national security protection runs from November 30 of the previous year to November 30 of the current year. Applications for recognition by the Ministry of Public Security for annual mass movements for national security protection should be submitted before December 20 each year (through the Mass Movement Construction Department under the General Force Building Department of the Public Security).

Part 5:

FUND FOR COMPETITION AND REWARD

1. The competition and reward fund for the nationwide people's security protection movement of the Ministry of Public Security and public security agencies at all levels shall be formed from the national security budget; local budgets ensuring funding for mid-term and final reviews, rewards for the nationwide people's security protection movement, and contributions from individuals, organizations, or other lawful sources. The head of the agency making the decision to award shall be responsible for funding the awards. The Ministry of Public Security shall issue separate guidelines on the sources of funding for awards and the amounts of such awards for various forms of recognition.

2. The competition and reward fund for the nationwide people's security protection movement shall be used for the following purposes:

a) To cover costs for printing certificates, commendation letters, Certificates of Merit, Flags of Excellence, frames for Certificates of Merit, Commendation Letters, making commemorative medals, and badges;

b) Awarding cash prizes or mementos to individuals and groups.

3. The granting of monetary rewards or commemorative gifts shall be carried out according to the following principles:

- At the same time point, for the same achievement of an individual if they receive multiple commendations with different monetary rewards, they shall only receive the highest monetary reward (or commemorative gift).

- If an individual receives multiple commendations at the same time point, each with different criteria and timeframes, they shall receive the monetary rewards corresponding to each commendation.

- Overseas Vietnamese, foreign individuals or groups may be awarded various forms of commendation along with commemorative gifts as stipulated.

4. For commendations and forms of recognition decided by the People's Committee at any level, the monetary rewards shall be funded by that People's Committee. For commendations and forms of recognition proposed by the provincial People's Committee to the President, Government, or Prime Minister for recognition, the monetary rewards shall be funded by the provincial People's Committee.

Part 6:

PROVISIONS ON RESPONSIBILITIES AND SANCTIONS FOR VIOLATIONS

1. Heads of units must be responsible for the accuracy of the files and reports of achievements they propose for upper-level consideration for commendation. In cases where fraud is discovered in the declaration or reporting of achievements by unit heads or individuals, the heads of subordinate units under the Minister, Directors of Public Security Departments of centrally-administered cities and provinces shall be responsible for initiating procedures to report to the leadership of the Ministry for the revocation of the commendation decision, and the recovery of any received awards and monetary rewards.

2. Individuals proposed for commendation must be responsible for the accuracy of their declarations and reports of achievements submitted for commendation at various levels.

If fraud is found in the declaration or reporting of achievements to obtain commendation, the commendation decision will be revoked, and the awards and monetary rewards recovered; depending on the nature and severity of the violation, legal sanctions will be imposed.

3. Individuals who falsely certify or forge documents for others to apply for commendation; those who abuse their positions or powers to grant commendations illegally, depending on the nature and severity of the violation, will be subject to legal sanctions.

Part 7:

IMPLEMENTATION

1. The General Department of Police Force Construction shall take the lead in coordinating with relevant units to guide and direct public security units and localities in implementing these provisions; to compile, review achievements, and report to the Ministry's leadership for decisions on commendations or to the Prime Minister for commendations for individuals and groups with outstanding achievements in the nationwide people's security protection movement.

2. The Financial Department of the Ministry of Public Security shall be responsible for coordinating with competent agencies to develop plans and provide guidance on managing and disbursing monetary rewards for the nationwide people's security protection movement for units and localities.

3. Directors of Public Security Departments of centrally-administered cities and provinces shall be responsible for advising and proposing to the Chairpersons of the People's Committees at the same level issues related to commendation titles and forms of recognition for village police forces, neighborhood watch groups, and the nationwide people's security protection movement.

4. This Circular shall take effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette, and all previous regulations conflicting with this Circular shall be abolished.

5. Chiefs of General Departments, heads of units directly under the Minister, and Directors of Public Security Departments of centrally-administered cities and provinces shall be responsible for organizing the implementation of this Circular.

During the process of implementing this Circular, if there are any difficulties, public security units and localities shall report to the Ministry of Public Security (through the Bureau of Nationwide People's Security Protection Movement Construction within the General Department of Police Force Construction) for timely guidance./.