Wang Lei, a grassroots guardian- Always keep the welfare of the masses in mind

During a recent interview in Urumqi, I had the chance to meet Wang Lei, a community police officer at the Heijashan police station of the Tianshan District Public Security Bureau. At 51 years old, Wang carries the marks of experience on his face but stands tall and moves with a brisk step.

For the past 18 years, Wang has dedicated himself to frontline work, embodying the motto “The people’s police serve the people” through his actions.

This past April 7th, a sudden fire erupted in his jurisdiction, shattering the calm of the neighborhood. At the time, Wang was patrolling nearby and quickly recognized the seriousness of the situation as he saw thick smoke billowing. He and his colleagues rushed to the scene. “Cover your heads and move away from the building. Don’t panic, and don’t gather around,” he calmly directed the residents to evacuate.

In the chaos, he spotted a pregnant woman who was about to give birth. Without hesitating, Wang rushed to her side, shielding her head and guiding her to safety. Just then, glass from the burning building shattered from the heat, and a shard hit Wang’s left hand. Despite the pain, he continued to help evacuate everyone until the last person was safely moved away.

Following the incident, he was diagnosed with a comminuted fracture and three torn tendons in his left hand, but he simply said, “As long as the community is safe, my injuries are nothing.”

Reflecting on his early days at the police station back in 2006, Wang recalls the disorderly settlements he encountered, full of makeshift housing. To familiarize himself with the area, he went door-to-door every day, even working late into the night to sort out a coherent numbering system for the houses. “I remember one time I fell and scraped my knee, but all I could think about was understanding the neighborhood better so residents could feel secure,” he shared.

Thanks to his determination and resilience, Wang managed to cover every corner of his district within just six months, laying a strong foundation for his future work.

In his daily routine, Wang often finds himself mediating various conflicts. “Only with patience and attention can we effectively resolve disputes,” he explained. In November 2023, he responded to a domestic dispute between a Mr. Gu and his wife. Wang and the station’s leadership arrived promptly at the scene.

With the couple growing increasingly heated, Wang patiently facilitated a dialogue between them. After a significant effort, he managed to calm them down and restore peace. For Wang, mediating such conflicts is second nature. Yet, he approaches each instance with fresh empathy, guiding those involved toward resolution.

Residents recognize Wang as a caring figure within the community. One local, Aymuguli Abudukeremu, shared, “Officer Wang is extremely detailed in his work. I remember one night when my granddaughter had a fever, and I didn’t know what to do. I called Officer Wang, and he quickly came with his colleagues to take her to the hospital. He’s always approachable and friendly.”

Colleague Ma Haoyong adds, “We often call him ‘Wang Ge,’ but we should really be calling him ‘uncle.’ He’s down-to-earth and is always teaching us to treat the public like family—speaking honestly and handling real issues. That advice has profoundly impacted me.”

Over the past 18 years, Wang Lei has selflessly dedicated himself to the community, resolving over 700 disputes with an impressive success rate of 99.7%.