**Interviewer**: Can you tell us about your remarkable journey as a police officer in Yiwu, particularly how you earned the nickname “Diving Policeman”?
**Luo Renbin**: I’ve been serving as a police officer for 17 years at the Jiangdong Police Station in Yiwu, and over the past nine years, I’ve rescued 13 people from drowning while participating in the rescue of a total of 118 individuals. Many people in the community have referred to me as the “Diving Policeman” due to these efforts.
**Interviewer**: What drives you to take such risks to save others?
**Luo Renbin**: When people’s lives are at stake, it’s crucial that someone steps in to help. I believe that we, as police officers, are the ones who should lend a hand during those critical moments.
**Interviewer**: Could you share some details about your area of responsibility and the challenges it presents?
**Luo Renbin**: The Jiangdong Police Station oversees a section of the Yiwu River, which stretches around 17 kilometers. Approximately 90% of all water-related incidents in the city occur within our jurisdiction, making it essential for us to focus on protecting the lives of those who live near the river.
**Interviewer**: Can you recount the first time you jumped in to save someone?
**Luo Renbin**: That was on July 1, 2015. The individual was about 60 meters from the shore, and I only had a 30-meter rope and a life buoy. I had no choice but to rely on my strength to pull them back to safety.
**Interviewer**: It sounds like that motivated you to enhance your skills.
**Luo Renbin**: Absolutely. I developed an intense training regimen and even set up a makeshift gym in my dormitory to train whenever I had the chance.
**Interviewer**: Are there any rescue operations that still haunt you?
**Luo Renbin**: Yes, I often think about the incident on July 5, 2018. Heavy rains caused the river to swell, leading to a landslide while four river patrol officers were inspecting a breach. Three of them ended up in the water amidst the chaos. I quickly responded and secured a life buoy with a rope, and then I jumped into the turbulent waters.
**Interviewer**: That sounds incredibly intense. What challenges did you face during that rescue?
**Luo Renbin**: One of the victims was significantly heavier than me and had an injured leg, making it impossible for him to help himself. He instinctively wrapped his arms around my neck, which made it hard for me to breathe. The banks were muddy and treacherous, leading to slips and struggles against the current. Even now, the sound of the roaring river still echoes in my ears.
**Interviewer**: In 2023, what new strategies or initiatives did you implement to improve water safety in your community?
**Luo Renbin**: I initiated a new operational model for water rescues involving a two-person team with a motorcycle and essential rescue equipment. This has led to more community members joining volunteer safety teams, with many stepping up to participate in water rescue efforts in nearby regions.
**Interviewer**: What other innovations have you brought to water safety monitoring?
**Luo Renbin**: I’m also involved in developing the “Water Sentinel” program in Yiwu, which provides 24/7 dynamic monitoring of hazardous water areas. We’ve integrated our efforts with drone technology for more effective surveillance and management.
**Interviewer**: What impact has this had on drowning incidents in Yiwu?
**Luo Renbin**: With our new policing model that combines expertise, systematic approaches, and data analysis, we saw a 62.5% decrease in drowning fatalities in 2023. We also built a specialized team for water rescues and created guidelines that have been implemented during training sessions for over 580 police and local rescue personnel.
**Interviewer**: Your dedication is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing your story with us!
