Myanmar News Articles: Myanmar tries to reform its iron-fisted police

Posted: Friday, March 21, 2014 12:03 pm

Myanmar tries to reform its iron-fisted police

Joseph J. Schatz
Special to The Washington Post

SantaFeNewMexican.com

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RANGOON, Myanmar — As a mob of angry young men approached a platoon of fresh-faced police recruits on the dusty outskirts of Rangoon one recent day, the officers kept their cool. Even as the crowd started hurling water bottles, commander Thein Toe Zaw attempted to negotiate over a loudspeaker. His men calmly pushed the crowd back until it dispersed — no batons drawn or beatings delivered.

Of course, this wasn't exactly real life. It was a training exercise at Police Battalion Camp No. 8, financed by the European Union, held under the watchful eye of Myanmar police brass and European trainers. It was part of an effort to overhaul a police force that was employed by Myanmar's powerful military to keep rebels and dissenters in check during years of authoritarian rule.

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