The police agency said Monday it would set up internal investigations units and audit committees of outside experts to curb corruption within its ranks.

National Police Agency Commissioner General Kim Ki-yong announced a set of measures to strengthen discipline after it was tarnished by a series of bribery cases and bungled responses to crimes in recent months.

“External control of the agency will be increased and internal audit capabilities will be improved to conduct vigorous correction activities,” Kim said.

Under the plans, internal corruption units with auditing and investigative powers and audit committees will be established at the National Police Agency and its regional branches.

Audit committees will consist of five to seven anti-corruption experts and members of non-governmental organizations, and will be able to recommend disciplinary measures on major cases.

The police also plan to raise the rank of the audit officer at the Seoul, Busan and Gyeonggi Province agencies from senior superintendent to superintendent general. In addition, the audit department of the National Police Agency will be supported by a department staffed by individuals who are not members of the police force.

The police will also increase the incentives provided to whistleblowers and raise the fines for bribe-takers.

The police agency has been embroiled in a number of corruption cases including a high-profile case in which police officers received gifts and money from a wanted man who ran room salons.

The police have also been under fire for being inefficient, most notably in its response to the case of attempted rape and murder of a young woman in Suwon in April.

Regarding the agency’s policing duties Kim said that a call center for handling general enquiries would be established to enable the 112 hotline to focus on urgent cases. The number for general inquiries will be 182.

The police also plan to convert small police units with less than seven officers into a live-in station where an officer will work and live.

Kim also said that the police would concentrate on five types of violent crime, including organized crime, sex crimes and school violence during the second half of the year and that more units specializing in school violence would be established.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)