The portable speakers being used can amplify the voice by up to 30 decibel. (image: National Police Agency)
SEOUL, Sept. 7 (Korea Bizwire) — The police plan to distribute portable speakers to the leaders of riot squads that are highly exposed to contact with people.
This move offers a glimpse of the change in the fieldwork of law enforcement agencies since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
The National Police Agency (NPA) announced on Friday that it plans to distribute portable speakers to about 170 leaders riot squad leaders under the umbrella of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and will expand the scope of distribution throughout the country on an incremental basis.
The portable speakers being used can amplify the voice by up to 30 decibel, enabling police officers to communicate smoothly with a small group of protesters or ordinary citizens without the need to lower their masks.
Prior to this move, the NPA strengthened disinfection measures for police responding to riots by making them wear not only masks but also face shields.
The wearing of masks and face shields, however, made it difficult for the police to communicate smoothly with the citizens.
Far too often, the police had no option but to lower their masks to their chins to talk to protesters. This situation has been pointed out as a potential risk of exposing both police and citizens to COVID-19.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
