THE number of police stations in Shenzhen is being slashed by 40 percent in a major reshuffle aimed at streamlining bureaucracy and enhancing front-line police staffing.

　　As more than 180 police stations are being combined into 103, some former police officers will become front-line policemen commissioned to deal with criminals.

　　The reshuffle, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of the month, is also designed to match police stations with the government's subdistrict offices on a one-for-one basis.

　　Officials have said residents would not have to change their hukou booklets, documents showing holders' registered permanent residency.

　　Police stations have suspended hukou business pending the reshuffle. Officials said police stations in Nanshan District had planned to resume hukou service next Monday.

　　Police said the reshuffle would not greatly affect residents but those under the jurisdiction of the axed stations will have to go to new police stations for hukou or other affairs.

　　(SD News)