### Section 4. The Police Force

## (1) Number of Police Personnel

The authorized number of police personnel in FY2009 was 290,640, of which 7,660 belonged to the NPA, and 282,980 belonged to the Prefectural Police.

Table 5-1 Number of Police Personnel (2009)
category	National Police Agency	Prefectural Police	Total
Police Officers	Imperial Guards	Regular Personnel	Total	Police Officers	Regular Personnel	Total
Local Police Administrator	Community Police Officer	Subtotal
Regular Number (persons)	1,899	901	4,860	7,660	623	253,682	254,305	28,675	282,980	290,640

Note : Among the Prefectural Police personnel, the capacity of the local police administrators is defined by the cabinet order and the capacity of other personnel is defined by ordinance as of 1 April, 2008.

## (2) Efforts to Strengthen Police Capability

A total of 24,230 Local Police Administrators $ ^{1} $ was increased from 2001 through 2007 in order to accurately respond to a serious situation of public safety. The number of Penal Code offenses confirmed by police decreased for six consecutive years since 2003, which is thought, together with other measures, to stave off an increasing trend of offences, leading to bringing about an effect on restoration of public safety.

However, in spite that the number of Penal Code offenses confirmed by police decreased, the level is much higher than that in the 1970s when public security was deemed favorable, as such the situation remains serious. Strengthening police capability needs to be continuously pursued. In 2008, the ratio of successful applicants to total number of applicants in the 2008 police officers recruiting examination was 7.6 times, supposedly halting the downward trend. A total of 959 personnel was included. $ ^{2} $

Given the impending retirement period of numerous staff, the police are responding to the severe security situation by combining their efforts to strengthen the capability of the police in the following ways.

## 1 ) Recruitment of Retired Police Officers

Due to the increase of non full-time employees such as investigation skills instructors and koban consultants, and the effective use of the reappointment system, on-site enforcement has been supplemented by retired police officers with adaptable fighting potential, and exceptional skills from experienced officers have been passed on to up-and-coming police officers.

Note 1: Police officers in Prefectural Police excluding local police administrators.

2: The number of people in the population per police officer was 509 in 2009 (after an increase of personnel) (this number is based on the Basic Resident Register as of 31 March 2008) down from 557 in 2000 (before the increase of personnel).

## 2 ) Quality Enhancing of Police Capability

Limited personnel resources are being utilized more efficiently by laborsaving and streamlining duties through using Information Technology (IT).

## 3 ) Strengthening Recruit Campaign to Ensure Excellent Personnel

The NPA is vigorously supporting a recruit campaign to recruit personnel at Prefectural Police by appealing a profession of police officers.

## (3) Outstanding Performance of Female Personnel

The police have been striving to proactively recruit female personnel for some time, with over 1,000 female police officers recruited each year since FY2002. Approximately 14,200 female officers and approximately 11,800 female civilians have been working in Prefectural Police force throughout Japan as of 1 April 2009 and promotions to executive positions are also increasing. As of 1 April 2008, there are 147 female Prefectural Police officers with a rank of Police Sergeant or higher.

Furthermore, for incidents in which women have been the victims of sexual crime or suffer from spousal violence, the capabilities and special abilities of female police officers are utilized in investigations and in measures for victims. The occupational field of female officers is expanding to nearly all fields, including Boryokudan countermeasures, security, and escorting.