Chapter 60

Village work is important, but one's main job is equally important.

Wang Yan is in charge of internal affairs, An Xiaoyong handles household registration, Chen Meng manages the police district, and Xiao Dan is responsible for special cases while also managing the police district. Without such an arrangement, no one would handle the records.

Special cases are similar to "informants" in Hong Kong and Taiwanese TV dramas, but they are different from "undercover agents." "Undercover agents" are selected from police academies and are originally police officers. Solving a few major cases can restore their status and allow them to wear police uniforms.

Public security special cases, especially those developed by grassroots law enforcement units, are not formal personnel. They are commonly known as "ears and eyes" and can be roughly divided into "red ears and eyes" and "gray ears and eyes."

"Red ears and eyes" refer to public security activists, such as security personnel in enterprises, village security chiefs, and public security officers. "Gray ears and eyes" are individuals with criminal records who are willing to assist the police. These informants often play an indispensable role in solving cases.

Grassroots police stations have insufficient funds and tight manpower. With only four or five people, they have to manage a large jurisdiction. Solving cases is impossible without informants.

Informants are a crucial secret force for strengthening social control, preventing and monitoring criminal activities, and are an important part of the foundational work. Police officers in charge of police districts must work hard to establish informants to achieve the goals of "no or fewer cases in the jurisdiction, providing clues to solve cases when they occur" and "no or fewer criminals hiding in the jurisdiction, providing information to catch criminals when they hide."

Xiao Dan is a party member, and he was an "excellent soldier" for two consecutive years in the military. After being discharged, he has been engaged in security work. After the police auxiliary team was formed, he underwent two months of concentrated training, learning, and duty. His political awareness is beyond reproach, and in terms of discipline, many formal police officers cannot match him.

His hometown is in Liangzhuang, and his uncle is the party branch secretary of the "first village in the township." He is familiar with the situation and has a good mass base, making him the most suitable person for special case work. In fact, the young man has proven to be very smart and capable. In just a week, with his uncle's help, he developed over a dozen "red ears and eyes" and six "gray ears and eyes."

Today, there are six leads, five of which are about illegal operations.

It's not difficult to gather leads on illegal operations if you pay attention. Silkworm cocoons are harvested and sold in a very short time. Dealers must visit households in advance to negotiate with the silkworm farmers, almost in a semi-public manner.

The reason they can't be dealt with is that the time is too concentrated, the county is too large, and there are too many towns that raise silkworms. There are not enough police forces to combat illegal operations, and it's impossible to stop or catch them in such a short time.

This year, they received 60,000 yuan from the silk company, and it's uncertain if there will be any next year.

These leads are all about money. If they handle it well, next year's funding won't be a problem. For now, set them aside. Later, they will visit the manager of the silk company in the county, Mr. Wang, to ask him to coordinate with the Industry and Commerce Bureau to confirm the return of fines.

The sixth lead is very important. Han Bo closed the office door and asked, "Xiao Dan, after so many years, is he sure he didn't make a mistake?"

"They were junior high school classmates and worked together at a foundry for two years after graduation. Gu Xinguì has a distinctive appearance, with a mole on his lip that was removed, leaving a scar. He said he would recognize him even if he turned to ashes, so he couldn't have made a mistake."

Gu Xinguì, 31 years old, from Dongguang Village, stole from a brick factory's finance department with two accomplices six years ago. They couldn't open the safe and tried to carry it away.

The noise was too loud and alarmed a resident across the street.

The security in Liangzhuang has always been good. When encountering thieves, they would definitely try to catch them. Gu Xinguì stabbed the resident who tried to grab him and fled. One accomplice turned himself in, and the other was caught two days later. The one who turned himself in has been released for two years.

A villager from Liubei Village returned from working in Beihé Province a while ago. Yesterday, while drinking with an informant Xiao Dan developed, he mentioned seeing Gu Xinguì at a small store near the construction site. He wanted to greet him but Gu Xinguì rode away on his bicycle.

Xiao Dan received the information, visited the villager's home that night to verify the details, and the specifics are clearly recorded in the report.

We can't let a wanted criminal remain at large. Han Bo picked up his bag and said, "Let's go to the Fourth Squad. Criminal cases are under their jurisdiction, and we must inform them immediately."

"I'll ride the motorcycle. After informing them, I'll come back directly."

"Alright."

The responsibilities and authorities of the criminal investigation team and the police station are not clearly defined. To meet revenue targets, the criminal investigation team often deals with gambling and prostitution, even handling some public security cases and operating in other jurisdictions. The police station, to meet case-solving targets, also handles criminal cases.

With overlapping responsibilities and chaotic management, conflicts often arise between the two.

The Fourth Squad used to be based in Dinghu. Once, they caught a prostitute who confessed to sleeping with a client on a certain day and the amount of money the client paid. They then went to catch the client and demanded a 5,000 yuan fine. However, the client had already been dealt with by the Dinghu police station for the same incident.

Dinghu Town was heavily in debt, and the town and village institutions were almost paralyzed. The farmers' burden was heavy, and the Dinghu police station couldn't expect any funding from the town, not even for public security fees. Due to tight funds or other reasons, they didn't issue a receipt or a public security penalty decision.

Without a record, it was as if the case hadn't been handled. The Fourth Squad insisted on pursuing the matter.

How can you fine someone again for the same offense?

The client was upset and asked his family to contact the police station. The police station then approached the Fourth Squad, but the new squad leader didn't give the station chief any face. To avoid a bigger conflict, the station paid 5,000 yuan.

After that, whenever there were small cases like door-breaking or bicycle thefts in Dinghu, the police station would push them to the Fourth Squad.

Criminal cases are your responsibility.

When the public reports a crime, it must be registered. With major cases to handle, how can they deal with these minor cases? The case-solving rate plummeted, and the bureau leadership was unhappy. The public complained, and the police station in Dinghu couldn't stay. They moved to a two-story building at the border of Dinghu and Lizhuang.

To avoid minor issues, the public was unwilling to travel so far. The Fourth Squad chose to avoid conflicts, and their ears and eyes finally had peace.

The Fourth Squad and the Dinghu police station were at odds, but they had no grudges with the newly established Liangzhuang police station. The squad leader was at home and very热情. After listening to the introduction and reviewing the report, his attitude changed.

"Special Envoy Han, he only saw him and doesn't know where Gu Xinguì is living or what he is doing. It's over a thousand kilometers away, and we are unfamiliar with the area. Where do we start looking? How about this: you ask the person who provided the information to keep an eye out. Once we confirm Gu Xinguì's whereabouts, I will immediately send a team to Beihé to arrest him."

To refuse such an opportunity, to know the fugitive's location and not act, how can you be a criminal investigation team leader?

Han Bo and Xiao Dan exchanged glances and said calmly, "Captain Cheng, please get an introduction letter from the bureau and bring the case materials. I believe the brother police force will assist us."

They will assist, but you need to treat them to a meal.

Over a thousand kilometers, at least three officers need to go, and they might stay for several days, possibly even a month.

Traveling, eating, and entertaining don't come for free.

The invoices from the "crackdown" haven't been reimbursed yet. Without funds, how can you expect us to go and catch him?

Moreover, we only have six formal officers, each with cases to handle. Sending three officers away means they won't return for a while, and other work will be neglected, and the bureau's tasks won't be completed.

You have old Lu's backing, and the bureau doesn't bother you.

No pressure to meet revenue targets, no case-solving pressure, not even notified to attend important meetings like the provincial police chiefs' conference. Your life is so comfortable, but ours are so difficult.

Captain Cheng lit a cigarette and said dismissively, "Special Envoy Han, you haven't worked in criminal investigations. Cross-provincial arrests are not as simple as you think. We can't take risks. Ask the person to keep an eye out, and I'll wait for your news."

Informing you is giving you face, not wanting to leave a bad impression of taking credit.

If you don't act, I will.

Han Bo made up his mind, stood up, and smiled, "Alright, I'll keep an eye out. Captain Cheng, come visit us in Liangzhuang when you have time."

"Sure, I'll definitely visit. Don't rush off. Let's have lunch together; the political instructor will be back soon."

"No, I need to go to the county. There will be other opportunities."

Walking out of the criminal investigation team, Xiao Dan couldn't hold back and asked urgently, "Chief Han, what do we do?"

Han Bo opened the car door and said nonchalantly, "Without a butcher, do we eat a hairy pig? After dealing with the illegal silkworm cocoon dealers and earning some funds, we'll go and arrest him ourselves. We're going to the county anyway, so we'll handle the procedures while we're there to save another trip."

A chance to earn merit is rare. Xiao Dan laughed and said, "Great, Chief Han, take me with you when you go to arrest him."

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