Find ways to change public misconception, police told
KUCHING: Members of the Sarawak police contingent are required to moot new strategies to change the perception of the public who are overly worried of their own safety.
Sarawak Commissioner of Police Datuk Azman Yusof said this negative perception must be corrected in view of the decreasing Crime Rate Index throughout Sarawak’s 28 districts.
“Proactive and progressive steps must be taken to fight this ‘ fear of crime’ perception among the public,” said Azman during the Sarawak Police monthly gathering at their headquarters yesterday.
He revealed that in Sarawak, the crime rate index had decreased by 386 cases ( 9.24 per cent) from January to August this year compared to the same period last year, which warranted the police to find new strategies to change the public’s misconception.
Touching on illegal gambling, he said during the first eight months of this year police had arrested 2,274 individuals from 1,583 raids throughout Sarawak and confiscated RM675,291 from the raids.
“I am giving my full commitment to eradicate illegal gambling in Sarawak,” said Azman, adding that each district police (chief) had been instructed to keep their district free from such illegal activities.
On another note, he disclosed that the police had detained 112 persons under the Prevention of Crime Act ( Poca) from Jan to Aug this year.
“We hope to use this method to take action against members of criminal syndicates in Sarawak,” he added.
Meanwhile, Azman also pointed out that the contingent’s Key Performance Index ( KPI) needed to be improved, especially on the fight against drug abuse, the solving of cases as well as conducting internal checks on members of the police for abuse of power, integrity, drug abuse and bribery.
One of the KPI targets which needed to be achieved, he added, is for police personnel in Sarawak to have a Body Mass Index ( BMI) of not more than 28.
During the gathering, Azman presented Excellent Service Award (APC) and appreciation certificates to several police personnel for their commitment and contribution to the force.
Also present were Sarawak Deputy Commissioner of Police Datuk Pahlawan Dzuraidi Ibrahim and officers of various ranks.