An Ominous Start To The New Year For Our Police Force

---

 


Less than 20 days into the new year, it appears to be the start of the police force’s “annus mirabilis” (notable year).
Its image and reputation have started showing isolated signs of decline with indifferent performances and worrying trends.
It must continue to endure continued criticism of declining standards and the conduct of individuals, in the process, dragging down the force’s name to disrepute.
The cases that have gone to court reveal the existence of rogue officers who chose materialistic gain over law and order.
Threats and words of advice from Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department chief Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain last October appear to have gone through one ear and come out the other.
His stance - change or be changed - was a long overdue challenge to the force, whose image was sometimes in tatters because of the acts and omissions of police officers.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department chief Mohd Shuhaily Mohd ZainI then wrote: “For the first time, a senior officer was acknowledging that some in his flock were up to no good or colluding with criminals.
“If it was an admonishment of sorts, it was long overdue. But to say his words reflected the situation within the police force would be the truth.”
The series of misdemeanours over the past week suggest that the problems have permeated from the upper echelons of the force down to the ordinary “mata-mata”.
If previously victims were reluctant to report minor infractions and roadside bullies, they are now standing up and the advent of mobile phones with cameras has made it easier to record such violations.
“Easy picking,” they would argue, when money is left on a shelf where an operation against illegal immigrants is being carried out.
Last December, three police officers were arrested on suspicion of stealing RM85,000 from a place during a recent raid on immigrants along Jalan Silang in Kuala Lumpur - in an area known as “mini Dhaka”.
Then, there was a case of a senior police officer charged in Ipoh with the murder of a secondary school student in a hit-and-run accident.
The victim reportedly died after his motorcycle was hit by a car driven by the officer who was attached to the Kedah police headquarters.
Last week, a police officer was transferred from his base to another station for assaulting a suspect.
The incident allegedly occurred in April 2023 and was brought to light when a video depicting the alleged assault surfaced on social media.
In the video, a man can be seen standing over another man in his seat and pulling his hair back while slapping him repeatedly.
However, I have always argued against the transfer of errant officers because it is hardly the solution. It is merely transferring the problem.
On Wednesday, a police officer was charged with four criminal offences linked to the rape of an underaged girl earlier this month.
Alongside a fellow police officer, he also pleaded not guilty to extorting the girl’s teenage boyfriend out of RM500.
Police said one of the accused sexually assaulted a female college student, while a male college student was taken to a bank to settle payments demanded by the suspects for traffic offences.
Force needs to buck up
Of course, the defence has been and will always be – only a small percentage are involved. However, the police force we come across in our daily lives and its officers are expected to be whiter than white.
But I agree there are good sides to the police force, especially officers who go beyond the line of duty to offer comfort. However, does such good outweigh the bad to balance the many issues of lack of integrity and discipline?
Three years ago, I wrote: “The police force – its reputation, image and conduct hardly smell like a bunch of roses. From being accused of arbitrarily issuing summonses to being accused of corruption, from assaulting people in remand to shooting and killing innocent people, they have taken all of them on their chins.
“Despite being pilloried and crucified (in a figurative sense) by Suhakam commissioners and judges in a court of law, there’s always the brave front - refusing to acknowledge nor deny their roles and admit wrongdoing.
“Amidst such depressing news, there have been flashes of kind-heartedness, generosity, and helpfulness from some police officers when people are in dire situations. Although they are rare compared to reports of excesses, it proves that all that matters are an individual’s mindset and attitude.”
The answer to these problems is to act according to the law, irrespective of the rank or the seriousness of the infringement.
We had at least one case in the past where a senior officer escaped scrutiny for a major irregularity akin to the “dog ate my homework.”
When rules and regulations are applied equally and consistently without fear or favour, there will be little to complain about.
The best practice would be to treat all equally without any form of special treatment. Is that too difficult to ask? - Mkini
R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who writes on bread-and-butter issues. Comments: [email protected].
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT

---