Trainee was medically and physically fit, say cops

Fatal jog: Azizan suffered from fainting spells at the end of his orientation.

PETALING JAYA: Trainee constable Azizan Ayob was medically and physically fit to undergo police training as shown by his clean bill of health.

Bukit Aman deputy director of management (Training) DCP Datuk Mohd Fuad Abdul Latiff said medical authorities had determined that Azizan was physically and medically fit to join the programme.

He said only medically and physically fit applicants were offered a place in the rigorous six-month training programme.

“It is compulsory for applicants to undergo a thorough medical check-up at government hospitals to ensure that they are fit for the programme.

“The check-up comprises an assessment of eyesight, whether they are colour-blind, and examines their hearing as well as their heart condition,” he told The Star.

Azizan was admitted to the Segamat hospital after suffering fainting spells at the end of the orientation at the Segamat Police Training Centre (Pulapol) field on Tuesday. He died at 10.26pm the next day.

DCP Mohd Fuad said applicants also had to produce evidence before the Commissioner for Oaths to verify that they were physically and medically fit to join the police force, in addition to not being involved in any crime.

He said when he found out what had happened to Azizan, he contacted the commandant of the training centre.

“I told him to study Azizan’s medical report, which was clean. Azizan’s situation is rare and it is an isolated incident.

“We’ve seen thousands of trainees, men and women alike, going through the same training.

“But different people have different meta­bolism and capacities to withstand the heat.

“I was made to understand that Azizan was only a few days into the orientation when he fainted during a light jogging session in the field.

“The weather was cloudy at the time,” he said, adding that the other trainees were unaffected.

When asked if Pulapol would revise its training regimen, DCP Mohd Fuad said the matter would be “seriously looked into” to prevent a repeat.

“It is necessary for trainees to undergo a rigorous regimen to prepare them for the demands that come with being a police officer.

“The training is mentally and phy­­sically tough as police officers engage in life-and-death situations.

“They are always on the go and work long hours,” he added.