G. SELVA of Ipoh is right in saying that in community policing, “a cautious approach must be adopted in encouraging the public to do crime-prevention duties as they are neither trained in using force nor legally protected if they use excessive force when confronting criminals” (”Adapt to culture of transparency” — NST, March 28).

The top brass of the Muar police department are serious about community policing. They meet residents and distribute pamphlets about the dos and don’ts when confronting criminals. They give talks and have dialogues with residents to raise awareness, going house to house to meet residents to promote a “friends-of-the-people” image.

By working closely with Rukun Tetangga, residents’ committees and the media, the police have succeeded in instilling trust and respect in residents. They have removed the suspicion and fear the public has of the police.

On top of this, a mutual exchange of visits strengthens the bond between the police and the public.

Police personnel can attend the festive celebrations held by residents. Members of residents’ committees can be invited to police functions, like the Police Day celebrations or weekly meet-the-people sessions at police stations.

With a heightened awareness of the benefits of community policing and that crime prevention is a shared responsibility, I am sure the incidence of crime can be reduced.

Set up council

THE introduction of a new motto and a new badge speaks volumes of the determination of the police to maintain law and order and reduce crime.

A new uniform has been introduced for police personnel involved in operational duties.

The changes and reforms indicate the top brass are working towards creating a world-class police force with emphasis on professionalism and integrity.

Ethics, honesty, moral values and efficiency are essential if we are to build a force which prides itself on integrity.

What remains to be done is to translate the new spirit of the force into action to ensure that the fear of crime among the people is addressed.

This means that more police personnel need to be deployed on the ground, especially in crime-prone areas, making them visible and acting as a deterrent to criminals.

As police presence is essential in the fight against crime, police must be provided with more manpower.

The force has 90,000 officers and men. This works out to one policeman for every 385 people compared with the Interpol ratio of 1 to 250.

With the 2008 Budget proposal to recruit 60,000 police personnel over the next five years (2007-2011), we will be striving for a 150,000-strong police force.

I would suggest that the police set up a council to review and boost training methods to keep up with the times.

The council can look into the implementation of the MS ISO 9001 certification programme for all departments in the force to improve the quality of the service and strengthen the public’s trust in the police.

Finally, it needs to be stressed that tackling crime is not just a matter of recruiting more policemen or imposing stiffer sentences on offenders.

The focus of any anti-crime strategy should not only be on catching criminals and punishing them but also on eradicating the roots of the social and economic causes of crime.

By TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE, Vice-chairman, Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation

Integrity vital

I CONGRATULATE Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan for launching the new police badge “Integriti Ama-lan Kita” (Integrity is our practice) and the new motto, “Tegas, Adil dan Berhemah” (Firm, fair and courteous).

The new motto replaces the old “Mesra, Cepat dan Betul” (Friendly, swift and correct), introduced in 1999.

The police force must ensure that each member lives up to this image. Changing badges and mottos is one thing but living up to its image is another.

Integrity, the uprightness of character, soundness of moral principles and the quality of truthfulness and honesty should be the traits of every policeman. Unless a policeman is honest, he cannot be relied upon to uphold the law.

To wear the integrity badge with honour and pride, the police must ensure that there is no deviation in personal integrity.

Whenever tempted to compromise, policemen must place honesty, sense of duty and moral principles above all else. Failure to do so will mean wearing a meaningless badge, whatever it stands for.

By LT-COL (R) MOHD IDRIS HASSAN, Kuala Lumpur

TAM YONG YUEE, Muar

Source: NST – March 31, 2008