Discuss what could be done to increase the public's respect for police officers.

When military dictatorship grips power and governs the country, the law enforcement by the police was strict, so the general public were actually afraid of even being stopped by a police officer on the street, although he/she did not do anything wrong. Especially the opposition parties and many civic campaigners who were against the government’s policies have been apprehended and put in jail without clear violations of laws. In those days, the police had absolute power and exercised it over civilians to the level that people couldn’t dare to challenge them. The status of the police has dramatically changed since democratization has been achieved. Even when they are in custody at the police station due to their wrong doings such as drinking or minor offenses, they yell at and even hit police officers. These days, most people do not regard police officers highly. They are not afraid of them anymore. The role of the police is to protect civilians and their duty should not be hampered.