Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has warned policemen to maintain discipline, on and off duty.

He said the attitude of some policemen who were careless or misbehaved while on the job had tainted the force's good image.

He was commenting on an attempted car robbery in Jalan Satok here last week during which the robber was armed with a pistol which was earlier, stolen from a police inspector who was drunk.

"The mistake of the policeman was to have brought along his service firearm while he went out to have fun.

"Moreover, he drove and slept in his car by the roadside," he told reporters today, after presenting aid to four families affected by a fire in Kampung Pulo here.

Wan Junaidi described the officer's attitude as disappointing, adding that the police and the ministry would not compromise in such situations but take disciplinary action against the officer.

He also expressed concern that within a week, there were two cases involving drunk policemen, which included the theft of a gun from a drunk officer.

However, he lauded the police for their quick recovery of the stolen firearm and nabbing the two suspects involved.

"I will discuss with the inspector-general of police on how to improve discipline in the force, especially in preventing policemen from being drunk while on duty.

"We cannot stop non-Muslims from drinking, but drink reasonably and not while on duty so that they do not put themselves or the public in harm's way.

"As policemen entrusted to protect public order, they must display exemplary behaviour," said Wan Junaidi.