ANYONE can see that the country’s crime rate has risen tremendously over the last few months.

It appears that last year was a bad year. Up to today, several high-profile cases have not been solved. The police have tried to explain why some of these cases have not been solved and may take time. But the people are not interested in statistics.

They are only interested in solutions to allay their fears.

I know the police are short-handed and face criminals who are more sophisticated. But this does not mean they can take things easy.

Better public-police co-operation will be a help in fighting crime.

But, to improve this co-operation, the police will have to change their attitude when dealing with the public at police stations.

Let there be zero complaints from the public about how people are treated when they want to lodge reports at police stations.

No matter how trivial it may seem to the police, that person must be treated with courtesy and sensitivity.

We do not want to hear stories of police personnel refusing to take down reports just because the person making it looks shabby and poor.

I have heard of a case where a retired senior police officer in Ipoh took a friend to lodge a police report.

After being ignored for almost an hour, the retiree asked the policeman manning the desk when he could take down the report.

Instead of answering the question, the policeman demanded to know who he was.

When the retiree mentioned his name and his rank in the police force, the policeman jumped out of his chair and began taking down the report.

This is the kind of attitude that needs to be changed. Had it been you or me, we would have been made to wait a few more hours before being served.

Of course, there are several more areas in the police force that need beefing up.

Our police force must have all the latest equipment and technology to fight criminals.

More firearms and other equipment must be acquired. More personnel must be sent overseas to learn to use the latest equipment and technologies to combat crime.

The days of being one step ahead of criminals are over. Our police force must be many steps ahead of them.

MOHD GHAZALI OSMAN, Ipoh

Source: NST – January 11, 2008