Cops warned to stay away from graft and misconduct

KUALA LUMPUR: The newly-minted Inspector-General of Police has issued a stern reminder to his team to stay away from graft and misconduct or face the consequences.

Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador, in vowing to crack down on errant staff, even asked those who might have compromised their integrity in investigating vice and gambling activities to stop now.

“For example, vice and gambling syndicates may have compromised police officers. I have warned them to cut ties. It’s not too late (for you to turn back), if you are not being hauled up by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

“Look back at your training, we took an oath then, we swore to uphold the law ... but somewhere down the line, you got entangled in vice and misconduct,” said Abdul Hamid.

He added that he had given ample warning to his personnel against misconduct and bribery.

The top cop’s remarks came following two recent cases of policemen being arrested after a robbery here and a sexual assault case in Kelantan.

“It’s sad that these two cases involved my men during Ramadan.

“Our CID worked fast and solved the cases and the message here is that we will not give them room but take the strictest action against those who commit crimes,” he told reporters after launching the Ops Selamat campaign in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Yesterday, Abdul Hamid said the force was looking at giving field promotions to personnel who rejected bribes while on duty, especially during Ops Selamat.

“We will look into it case by case,” he said. He also called on motorists to refrain from offering bribes or face arrest.

He said the police would issue a warning when a bribe was first offered but if a motorist was insistent on it, they would have no choice but to arrest them.

On Ops Selamat, Abdul Hamid said 4,500 personnel from Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department would be on duty throughout the campaign from May 29 until June 12.

He urged motorists to be patient when driving during this festive period as jams were unavoidable.

“We are expecting between three and four million vehicles on the road throughout this period,” he said.

Abdul Hamid said those who committed offences, such as using the emergency lane, speeding, overtaking at double lines and beating the red light would face the maximum RM300 fine.

The message here is that we will not give them room but take the strictest action against those who commit crimes.

Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador