Sometimes, it seems like a thankless job as not many say 'thank you' to PDRM who have performed their duties. Thank you for continuing to serve for safety of the public no matter whether it rains or the sun shines.
According Datuk Amin Khan, the Director of Pemandu’s Reducing Crime NKRA, and PDRM has been successful in reducing the country's crime index.
The job of the IGP is not only ranked as one of the most stressful jobs but has routinely been considered as unpopular.
READ: Mohamad Fuzi Harun is new IGP
Looking at the present scenario, the new IGP faces a tough job in heading the force.
The followings are some of the challenges the new IGP will need to consider:
• To gain the initial public trust, the new IGP in his first press announcement should promise to clean up PDRM from corrupt practices and aggressively seek to get rid of bad apples who abuse their authority or tarnish the department's reputation.
In the 2017 Transparency-International Malaysia’s (TI-M) Global Corruption Barometer (GCB) survey PDRM was viewed as the most corrupt public institution.
• Be highly respected by the community and at all levels of police officers. He must show a good example and be whiter than white
• Need to display several important characteristics and qualities, as this job requires integrity, fairness, respect the principles of legality, non-discrimination and humanity
• Ability to be stern and act without fear or favor no matter who the suspects are or despite their political affiliations. Nobody must be allowed to act above the law.
• Keeping politics out of policing and there should be no political inference in the police administration.
• Focus on attacking so-called quality-of-life offenses as a way to combat more serious crimes and undertake a thorough overhaul of personnel, strategies and training within the department.
• Continue and extend community policing based on latest evidence and findings. Today modern policing is a "people business" and not an "enforcement business" anymore.
• Start a diplomatic outreach approach which provides and encourages a respectful, respected and open forum for dialogue to reduce crime, uphold justice, and improve safety in the country.
• Work towards a zero tolerance on corruption, making sure that the police are not going to compromise in their fight against crimes at every level. This is only fair to the members of the force that serve with dedication and integrity. A few bad apples spoil the barrel.
• Relooked and improved the Integrity and Standards Department (JIPS) to make the force respected and more sincere in fighting corruption.
The department aims to clean up the police force, come down hard on rogue officers or those charged with dereliction of duty and to make the public feel comfortable with the police and confident that their complaints or police reports will be handled swiftly, professionally and efficiently.
• Have to identify the reasons for negative opinion of the force and find ways to improve its image.
• Take care of the welfare of the rank-and-file officers by for example, building more quality quarters for them. It is reported that some junior officers working in Taman Tun Dr Ismail have no choice but to rent cheap apartments in Cheras. These factors can affect their work productivity and compromise their integrity.
The government should consider increasing the force budget, provide good infrastructures
and facilities, ensuring excellent service for the people and providing comfort and protecting welfare of
PDRM families.
With the above priorities and serious implementation the PDRM can improve policing standards in Malaysia, enhance professionalism in the police force, and engender consistent respect for law enforcement personnel.
They and the people deserve no less.
* Datuk Akhbar Satar is the President of Transparency International Malaysia for 2017-2019 and a crime analyst.
** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.
