Selangor Govt offers to sponsor 360 auxiliary cops

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor Government has offered the services of 360 auxiliary policemen to help combat rising crime.

Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said the state government had applied to the police to have enforcement officers of local councils endorsed as auxiliary policemen.

“We view the recent increase in crime involving firearms very seriously.

“Although the responsibility of public safety is under the Federal Government, the state government is ready to contribute as much as it can to ensure public safety, particularly in public areas,” he said.

There are 12 local councils in Selangor and Khalid proposed that each council contribute more than 30 personnel as auxiliary policemen.

“They will help enforce the law, conduct patrols and increase the ratio of policemen to residents,” he told reporters after the state executive council meeting.

He added that the state government was willing to absorb the cost of training the auxiliary policemen.

Currently, the Petaling Jaya City Council has 20 auxiliary policemen but their powers are limited to guarding council buildings.

“We want their powers to be expanded (to have an impact). Training and housing will be required, and Selangor has the finances and the manpower,” he said.

Khalid said the state government had previously applied for permission to set up a team of auxiliary policemen comprising enforcement officers from local councils, but did not get a positive response.

“We will apply again to the police and Home Ministry. We are ready to discuss with the Home Minister and Inspector-General of Police in order to reach mutual consensus on this matter,” he said.