China tightened its rules on the recruitment of police officers to ensure the force is loyal, honest and professional.

Recruitment should be organized and carried out by provincial-level authorities, according to a document released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, Ministry of Public Security and State Administration of Civil Service on Jan 25.

It called for authoritativeness and credibility in recruitment, relieving the city- and county-level regions of their right to recruit.

The document said new police officers should be recruited from public security colleges as well as the public at large to ensure talented candidates are included in the force.

However, graduates from public security colleges should be a major source for filling positions, it added.

The document also called on authorities to conduct studies on psychological evaluation to improve effectiveness amid efforts to standardize recruitment.

It stressed recruitment should be transparent and those who commit malpractice will be held accountable.