I REFER to V.K.Chin’s comment (The Star, Feb 27) on the enforcement of law and order. The recent steps taken to beef up the logistics and re-hiring of retired police personnel are definitely ones in the right direction but this can only be part of the great jigsaw puzzle in fighting crime effectively.

Merely putting more equipment and men on the ground is not going to satisfy the other key functions of the police, that is procurement of intelligence which in turn will lead to the apprehension and prosecution of criminals.

It is opined that the police in their main objective in reducing crime do not solely make crime prevention the only focus without satisfying their other equally important functions.

This is because, statistically, our index crime comprises almost 40% of non-confrontational crimes such as vehicle thefts and petty thefts. Therefore it would not alleviate the sense of alarm that the public feels, even if the authorities show a reduction of figures especially in non-confrontational crimes but other serious crimes become more rampant.

There is a very real fear, especially when almost everyone knows of someone whose house has been burgled, robbed, bodily harmed or a victim of a snatch theft.

There is no doubt that public cooperation is imperative in this fight but it must be unequivocally emphasised that the police cannot be seen to be crippled if there is no one coming forward to assist.

Enhancement and improving methods in procuring intelligence is the key factor in overcoming these constraints and the police throughout time and all over the world constantly work in this manner to overcome such constraints.

Depicting the inability to solve cases due to lack of public cooperation openly will only encourage criminal boldness further.

Public cooperation is crucial in obtaining information and it will naturally become sufficient when public confidence and trust in the police are restored and maintained.

This must be coupled with the knowledge and full confidence that their personal safety will never be compromised when they come to assist in police investigations, more so in serious and high profile cases. The onus is always on the police to create such an environment which is part and parcel of police craft.

The skills in identifying information that has relevant potential to be developed into operational intelligence, be it covert or overt, and finally into admissible evidence, requires experienced and knowledgeable police officers.

They know how a criminal mind works and are able to take the right approach to effectively put criminals out of circulation. This ultimately and eventually is the most important factor in reducing the type of crime that alarms the public.

G. SELVA,

Ipoh.

Source: The Star – February 29, 2008