Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Act is to promote the activities of Korea Citizens on Patrol and contribute to public safety in local communities, including the maintenance of public order, crime prevention, and youth guidance, by prescribing matters necessary for their establishment, operation, systematic management, and support.
Article 2(Definitions) #
The terms used in this Act are defined as follows:
1. The term "Korea Citizens on Patrol" means an organization voluntarily organized by local residents to engage in community service activities for the safety of local communities, such as crime prevention, and which has been reported to the chief of a police station under Article 4;
2. The term "Korea Citizens on Patrol member" means a person commissioned by the chief of a police station from among members of an organization reported under Article 4;
3. The term "Korea Citizens on Patrol leader" means a person who represents a Korea Citizens on Patrol and is selected from among its members.
Article 3(Organization and composition) #
(1) In principle, 1 Korea Citizens on Patrol shall be organized for each Eup/Myeon/Dong; provided, 2 or more organizations may be established, taking into account local circumstances, such as population and area.
(2) Each Korea Citizens on Patrol shall have a leader, deputy leader, general secretary, and members.
(3) Other matters necessary for the organization, composition, and operation of Korea Citizens on Patrol shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
Article 4(Reporting) #
(1) A person who intends to organize a Korea Citizens on Patrol under Article 3 shall report necessary matters, such as the name, area of activity, and the names of its representative and members, to the chief of the competent police station, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
(2) When a Korea Citizens on Patrol is dissolved or any change occurs in reported matters, the relevant changes shall be reported to the chief of the competent police station, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
Article 5(Grounds for disqualification of Korea Citizens on Patrol members) #
(1) None of the following persons shall become a Korea Citizens on Patrol member:
1. A minor or a person under adult guardianship;
2. A person for whom 5 years have not elapsed since his or her imprisonment without labor or heavier punishment declared by a court was completely executed (including where such execution is deemed completed) or exempted;
3. A person who is under suspension of the execution or sentence of his or her imprisonment without labor or heavier punishment declared by a court;
4. A person for whom 10 years have not elapsed since his or her sentence declared by a court for a sexual crime defined in Article 2 (1) of the Act on Special Cases concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes or for a sexual offense against a child or juvenile defined in subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth against Sex Offenses was completely executed (including where the execution is deemed completed), suspended, or exempted;
5. A person engaged in a business establishment prohibited from access by and employment of youth, which falls under subparagraph 5 a 1), 2), 3), 7), 8), and 9) of Article 2 of the Youth Protection Act.
(2) The chief of a police station may refer to criminal records under Article 6 of the Act on the Lapse of Criminal Sentences to ascertain whether a person is disqualified under paragraph (1) 2 through 4.
Article 6(Commissioning and dismissal of Korea Citizens on Patrol members) #
(1) The chief of a police station may commission, as a Korea Citizens on Patrol member, a person who has no grounds for disqualification under Article 5 (1) from among those recommended by the Korea Citizens on Patrol leader (including the representative in cases where a report is filed under Article 4 (1)).
(2) If a Korea Citizens on Patrol member becomes subject to any ground for disqualification prescribed in Article 5 (1), or if the head of an area patrol unit or police substation requests dismissal of such member for violation of this Act or an order issued under this Act, the chief of a police station shall dismiss such member.
(3) The chief of a police station may dismiss a Korea Citizens on Patrol member who has obvious reasons to obstruct citizens on patrol activities referred to in Article 7 or who negligently performs such activities, after hearing the opinion of the Korea Citizens on Patrol leader.
(4) Other matters necessary for the commissioning and dismissal of Korea Citizens on Patrol shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
Article 7(Citizens on patrol activities) #
Korea Citizens on Patrol shall perform the following activities (hereinafter referred to as "citizens on patrol activities"):
1. Conducting patrols and reporting crimes for the purpose of crime prevention;
2. Guiding and protecting youth;
3. Performing activities requested by the commissioner of a City/Do police agency, the chief of a police station, the chief of an area patrol unit, or the chief of a police substation (hereinafter referred to as "commissioner of a City/Do police agency, etc.") for the safety of the local community;
4. Performing activities requested by the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, the Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Do Governor, a Special Self-Governing Province Governor (hereinafter referred to as "Mayor/Do Governor"), the head of a Si/Gun/Gu, or the head of an Eup/Myeon/Dong for the safety of the local community.
Article 8(Uniforms and equipment) #
(1) When conducting citizens on patrol activities, Korea Citizens on Patrol members shall wear uniforms indicating that they are performing citizens on patrol activities and shall carry identification cards certifying their status.
(2) Korea Citizens on Patrol members shall not wear uniforms resembling those of the police, nor shall they affix markings, signs, etc. similar to those of the police to patrol vehicles, or operate vehicles bearing such markings, signs, etc.
(3) If the Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency, the commissioner of a City/Do police agency, or the chief of a police station deems it necessary for citizens on patrol activities, he or she may install warning lights on Korea Citizens on Patrol vehicles in compliance with the standards prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
(4) Matters necessary for the identification cards, uniforms, warning lights, vehicle equipment, etc. for Korea Citizens on Patrol members shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
Article 9(Guidance and supervision) #
The commissioner of a City/Do police agency, etc. shall guide and supervise the activities of Korea Citizens on Patrol members for the safety of local communities, such as crime prevention, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
Article 10(Education and training) #
(1) The commissioner of a City/Do police agency, etc. may provide education and training necessary for citizens on patrol activities to Korea Citizens on Patrol members.
(2) Matters necessary for the details, frequency, methods, etc. of education and training under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
Article 11(Awards) #
The Commissioner General of the National Police Agency, the commissioner of a City/Do police agency, the chief of a police station, a Mayor/Do Governor, the head of a Si/Gun/Gu, or the head of an Eup/Myeon/Dong may grant awards to Korea Citizens on Patrol members who have made significant contributions to crime prevention, etc. in local communities.
Article 12(Establishment of the KCOP, Associations, and Federations) #
(1) For the sound development of Korea Citizens on Patrol and the promotion of information exchange and mutual cooperation among them, a national Korea Citizens on Patrol (National Headquarters) (hereinafter referred to as the "KCOP") may be established, as well as City/Do Citizens on Patrol Associations (hereinafter referred to as "Associations") in the Special Metropolitan City, Metropolitan Cities, Special Self-Governing Cities, Dos, or Special Self-Governing Provinces, and Si/Gun/Gu Citizens on Patrol Federations (hereinafter referred to as "Federations") in each Si/Gun/Gu.
(2) The KCOP shall file a report on its establishment with the Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency; an Association, with the commissioner of the competent City/Do police agency; and a Federation, with the chief of the competent police station, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
(3) Matters relating to the organization, operation, functions, etc. of the KCOP, Associations, and Federations (hereinafter referred to as the "KCOP, etc.") shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
Article 13(Guidance and supervision of the KCOP, etc.) #
To ensure the safety of local communities, such as crime prevention, the Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency shall provide guidance and supervision over the operation of the KCOP; the commissioners of City/Do police agencies shall do so for the Associations; and the chiefs of police stations shall do so for the Federations, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
Article 14(Subsidization of expenses) #
(1) The State and local governments may, within the budget and as prescribed by Presidential Decree, fully or partially subsidize the expenses incurred in the purchase of uniforms and equipment, provision of education and training, granting of awards, the operation, etc. of Korea Citizens on Patrol and the KCOP, etc.
(2) If Korea Citizens on Patrol enroll in insurance to protect their members against risks of death or injury, etc. which may occur from citizens on patrol activities or from education and training under Article 10, the State and local governments may fully or partially subsidize the cost of such insurance, within the budget.
Article 15(Prohibited acts) #
(1) No Korea Citizens on Patrol member shall engage in any of the following acts using the name of the Korea Citizens on Patrol:
1. Soliciting donations;
2. Using the name of the Korea Citizens on Patrol for profit-making purposes;
3. Participating in lawsuits, disputes, or industrial actions;
4. Engaging in any other act that may undermine the reputation of the Korea Citizens on Patrol.
(2) Korea Citizens on Patrol, the KCOP, etc. (including its representative and members) shall not participate in an election campaign of a specific political party or a specific person (referring to the election campaign under Article 58 (1) of the Public Official Election Act) under their names or in the name of their representative.
Article 16(Prohibition of use of similar names) #
No person, other than Korea Citizens on Patrol or the KCOP, etc., that have been reported under this Act, shall use the name Korea Citizens on Patrol, the KCOP, etc. or any other name similar thereto.
Article 17(Legal fiction as public officials for purposes of applying penalty provisions) #
Korea Citizens on Patrol engaged in activities referred to in subparagraphs 3 and 4 of Article 7 shall be deemed public officials for purpose of applying Articles 127 and 129 through 132 of the Criminal Act.
Article 18(Penalty provisions) #
The penalty provisions under Article 255 (1) 11 of the Public Official Election Act shall apply to a person who conducts, or compels another person to engage in, an election campaign, in violation of Article 15 (2).
Article 19(Administrative fines) #
(1) Any person who uses the name "Korea Citizens on Patrol," “KCOP,” or any other similar name, in violation of Article 16, shall be subject to an administrative fine not exceeding 3 million won.
(2) Administrative fines under paragraph (1) shall be imposed and collected by the chief of the competent police station, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.