Executive Summary: "Despite all the publicity that Burma has received since the inauguration of a hybrid military - civilian parliament in 2011, and the launch o f an ambitious reform program by President Thein Sein, there are some important issues which seem to have escaped serious study. It has become clear, for example, that the new government wishes not only to reinvigorate plans to expand and remodel the Myanm ar Police Force (MPF), but also to give it a more distinctive civilian style and ethos, and see it take greater responsibility for some key aspects of the country ? s internal security. Indeed, such steps will be essential if Burma is to strengthen the rule of law and make an orderly transition to a genuine and sustainable democracy . The armed forces ( Tatmadaw ) will remain responsible for external defence and for counter - insurgency campaigns against armed ethnic groups. However, it seems to be envisaged that , as part of the broad democratisation process, the MPF will assume a greater role in terms of law enforcement and the maintenance of internal order. Already, there are more blue uniforms than green uniforms on the streets protecting VIPs and standing stat ic guard outside diplomatic missions. The police can also be expected to play a larger part in quelling civil unrest, with the army only called upon to provide aid to the ? civil ? power during emergencies, as occurred in Arakan (Rakhine) State in 2012 and M eiktila in 2013. To this end, the MPF is being expanded, restructured and modernised. It is already larger and more powerful than it has been since the colonial era, but the goal is a force of over 100,000 men and women, with 34 ? combat ? battalions. Recru itment and officer corps entry standards have been raised. At the same time, the MPF ? s doctrine and training programs are being changed to give greater emphasis to ? community - based policing ? by unarmed officers working in close cooperation with the civil p opulation. This approach is not completely new to Burma but, if fully and successfully adopted, it will be in stark contrast to the tough paramilitary style of policing that has characterised the force since General Ne Win ? s 1962 coup. As the Indonesian e xample has shown, however, such a transition will be neither quick nor easy. Burma ? s armed forces remain very powerful. There will be some areas, such as intelligence collection and internal security operations, where the interests of the MPF and Tatmadaw will overlap. The respective roles, responsibilities and associated benefits of the two institutions may be sorted out ? probably in the Tatmadaw ? s favour ? but there is likely to be friction. Also, there are cultural issues in the police force which will take a long time to resolve. Corruption and the abuse of power, for example, are deeply - rooted problems that will be difficult to eradicate. Until they are, the force ? s relations with the general population will remain problematical. Should the MPF be abl e to reinvent itself, however, it has the potential to make a major contribution to Thein Sein ? s reform program and the development of a more democratic, stable and humane society in Burma. Also, as an important civilian body answerable to the public throu gh an ? elec ted ? government, its behaviour ? and treatment by the g overnment ? will be important indicators of progress in current attempts to implement the rule of law in Burma and make the security forces more accountable for their actions"