WHAT TO DO IF STOPPED BY MALAYSIAN POLICE

This is a very useful information, especially for women folks! Who knows you might encounter the same problem when you step out from your house. Inform your loved ones and friends.

The next time you are stopped by persons who claimed they are plain clothes police, you are under no obligation to answer their questions or follow their orders, lawyers told Malaysiakini today.

'Policeman who is not wearing his uniform does not have the authority to stop anyone,' lawyer and human rights activist Sivarasa Rasiah said.

Procedures to follow in the event you are stopped by uniformed police Officers while driving:

1. Stop the car and wind down your window.

2. If the police officers ask for your documents, request to see their IDs first.

3. If you are satisfied about their identity, ask them if you are being summoned, and for what offence.

4. Produce your identity card and driver's license and wait to collect your summon ticket.

In the event that the police officers ask you to follow them to the police station:

1. Ask if you are under arrest and for what offence.

2. If you are not under arrest, you have the right to leave.

In the event you are flagged down by persons you believe could be plain clothes police: 1. Do not stop because plain clothes police officers do not have the authority to stop you.

2. Drive to the nearest police station and lodge a report. (The same procedure applies to pedestrians)

In the event the police come to your house:

1. Do not let them in before checking their IDs.

2. If you are not satisfied, phone the nearest police station and confirm if they had been sent to your house.

3. You are under no obligation to allow them into the house if they don't have a search warrant.

4. Do not go with them if you are not under arrest.

In the event persons who claimed to be plain clothes police come to your house:

1. Do not let him in because they do not have the authority to do so.

2. Lodge a report at the nearest police station.

Sivarasa was commenting on the alleged gang-rape of an 18-year-old Uni student by four men claiming to be police officers on New Year's Eve. The girl said that her car was stopped in Taman Tun Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur and were asked by the men to open the car bonnet. She was then told that she had committed an offence and ordered to follow the men to a police station. The girl was driven in her car along the North-South expressway to the Tapah-Cameron Highlands road before she was raped in an oil palm estate.

This incident, and many others, have sparked confusion over the procedures which motorists must follow when flagged down by the police. The most common problem is that most people take instructions without determining if the other person is really a cop,' lawyer Annie Santiago said.

However, if you are stopped by a uniformed policeman, then you are required to stop. But you need not get out of the car because you are not expected to do so, Santiago said. He other rule to follow is to provide your identity card only when you are asked to do so. 'Even then, you should get his ID first to confirm if he is a cop. There is no harm in calling the relevant police station to verify if he is supposed to be on duty that day,' Sivarasa said.

Both lawyers said that motorists should never follow an officer to the police station unless one is under arrest . 'If you are not sure, and your instincts tell you that something is wrong, then drive off to the nearest police station and lodge a report,' Sivarasa said.

In response to the alleged gang-rape of the 18-year-old, Women's Aid Organisation executive-secretary Ivy Josiah called on the police to launch an education program to teach the public about their rights to prevent them from being victimised by bogus police officers.

Criminal Statistics ... Sabah among the safest?

Sabah among safest states …except for flag burning ...writes Kinabalukini

"Sabah Commissioner of Police Datuk Noor Rashid Ibrahim said a total of 1,970 cases were reported during the period compared to 2,393 cases during the corresponding period last year, a decrease of 423 cases or 17.68 per cent."  

This is far from the truth! People have already lost their confidence in the police force due to its nonchalant attitude towards responding to public complaints or reports on crime investigations.  

Of course the statistical reports compiled from the various Balai Polis are only for the consumption of the CP who will then make an announcement to the public to paint a rosy picture that his Police personnels are carrying out their duties diligently and efficiently based on the statistics made available to him.  

I had the opportunity to speak to a certain Police personnel at the Balai Polis Penampang, CID Section, that crime rate in Penampang District is ever increasing and is actually going beyond control due to the following reasons:  

a) Understaffing: The Penampang District area is too large for the existing CID Personnels to meet the various crime investigations and the demand for criminal policing;  

b) Existing Laws: The existing criminal laws need to be revised in order to keep the habitual criminal offenders off the street;  

c) Public Confidence: The inefficiency of solving crimes and the attitudes of some police personnels in responding to crime reports from the public, have eroded the public confidence due to (a) and (b) above. 

I have my personal experience. 

It is now the perception of the public towards the Police that they cannot response quick enough to investigate crimes reported to them. This is either lack of police personnels to carry out the investigation immediately, or 'could-not-careless' (or non-receptive) attitude, the former might be the more appropriate reason.  

The public are no longer eager to call the police if there is a criminal incidence taking place due to poor response from them (Police) in the past. Hence, this stigma must be wiped out if the CP wants the public confidence reinstated.

PM wants cops to send shivers down spine of criminals

KUALA LUMPUR: Thursday, 26 March 2009. The police must instil fear and send shivers down the spine of criminals who have become more brazen, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. “The police should utilise their capabilities and resources to prove to criminals that they have what it takes to defeat bad hats,” he added.

“Show them and the public that you are a force to be reckoned with. Instil fear in criminals so that you can effectively combat crimes in a professional and responsible manner,’’ the PM said during his speech at the 202nd Police Day celebrations at the police training centre on Jalan Semarak yesterday.

“Criminals must be made to fear the strength and effectiveness of the police. We must show them that we are able to match them, especially now when criminals arm themselves with modern and sophisticated weapons,” he added.

During the parade, PM witnessed the presentation of 25 Mitsubishi Evolution X (Evo10) cars and 426 Honda ST 1300 motorcycles that would be used by the police for fast and effective response at crime scenes.

Meanwhile, IGP Musa, in his speech, vowed that he and his men would serve the nation with full responsibility.

 

Comments from Linundus: The PM’s message to the Cops, perhaps the last one from him, is very timely. It is time for the Cops to reflect whether they have been performing according to what the PM and their Big Boss have said.

As for now, the public is beginning to lose their confidence in them, perhaps even lost, due to their indifferent attitude when responding to public calls for Police investigation.

I have just met a person this morning who informed me that the Cops are as swift as an arrow to respond if there is a call from the public (normally from the losers) regarding gambling cases in the Kampong . This is a commendable act. But why? Criminal and civil cases such as house breaking, drug pushing, immoral activities, etc, are more important to be attended to and would require urgent and professional attention than the petty gamblers in the Kampong.

The Police Department should not take Linundus comments as insulting to them, but to take it as a constructive feedback from the public for the purpose of improving their policing duty and of taking action responsibly. They should respond to public calls without choice of duties and hesitation.

It is very sad to hear comments from members of the public that they are discouraged to call the Police, let alone to make police reports, should there be any incident that requires police investigation. This is disheartening to note when the Police are supposed to discharge their duties responsibly. This could be the reason why (when) there is a drop in criminal cases (if there is any) because of non-reporting from the public. I may be wrong.

With the PM’s and IGP’s messages, and the latter having vowed that “his men would serve the nation with full responsibility”, we expect the Police Force to improve their performances as expected of them, and to once again regain the public confidence. Linundus.