Police practices to be standardized

China's central leadership called on Friday for more standardized law enforcement so that the people can feel justice in all law enforcement practices and in every case.

The call comes amid a series of cases that have occurred nationwide and involve allegations of abuse of police power.

A meeting on Friday of the Leading Group for Overall Reform, presided over by President Xi Jinping, required the establishment of a professional police force with standardized law enforcement practices.

The management of law enforcement should be "systematic" and procedures should be documented or recorded, to ensure that police power is used properly, according to a statement released after the meeting.

"Relevant authorities should strive to let the public feel social justice and fairness in every single law enforcement and every single case," the statement said.

The recent case of Lei Yang, 29, who died in police custody after a vice raid on May 7 in Beijing, has prompted questions by the public about whether the police used excessive force.

Prosecutors in Beijing are investigating the case to see if there was any police misconduct involved. No conclusion has been reached.

Yang Weidong, a law professor at the Chinese Academy of Governance, said that the latest requirement from the top leadership is very timely, since police abuse and brutality do exist.

"Some police officers are rude or even torture suspects in interrogations, while some don't inform suspects' family members in a timely manner," Yang said.

Zhao Li, a criminal lawyer in Beijing, said that many law enforcement officers, especially police, do not follow standardized practices.