Chongqing police have launched a massive search for Zhou Kehua, who has been identified as a suspect behind the gunning down of eight people within eight years. The public is focusing its attention on how fast Zhou can be apprehended.

Zhou's case highlights the importance of public security, which is the most basic public demand. We often neglect public security and even dismiss the efforts of the security authorities, but public security is the most essential factor of our well-being. Cracking down on major crimes is a tough task all countries have to undertake. Ten people were shot to death in three weeks in October 2002 in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia, which shocked Americans living in the region. Two severe shooting cases in the US recently have added to the trauma.

Zhou's case has triggered public concern over the police's ability to curb crimes. Zhou was not promptly arrested when he committed his previous crimes, causing public complaints. Now, the public has placed high expectations on the Chongqing police. Police have been in the news a great deal recently. It was circulated online Sunday that the son of a police official in Jingjiang, Jiangsu Province stabbed a woman over a neighborhood dispute. Some deliberately highlight the status of the offender's father as a police official, promoting anti-police sentiment.

During a transition period, the police bear a heavy burden in maintaining social order. Without efficiency from the police, China's public security could not be guaranteed and the country would be in chaos. Without the reform of the police system, China's progress will be affected.

China has maintained relatively good public security compared to the rest of the world. The security situation in China is much better than that in many other developing countries and even equal to some developed countries. Chinese police deserve praise in this respect. China's security situation hasn't been achieved easily.

Being a policeman is risky in China. Since the establishment of the New China, tens of thousands of policemen have died in the line of duty. The police are the biggest group of civil servants and have the closest contact with the grass-roots. That is why their deficiencies can be easily seen and why they easily come under criticism from the public.

Chinese police have made many efforts to improve themselves and have made some achievements, but the public still maintains a skeptical attitude toward them. The police should continue their efforts. China should have comprehensive and balanced social progress. Problems cannot be solved only through the adjustment of officials or the police. But the self-adjustment of the officials and police is the most important part.

The article is an editorial published in the Chinese edition of the Global Times Monday.