KUALA LUMPUR: The new Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) phone app will boost public participation in combatting and preventing crime nationwide, said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
He said the app is a new form of community-oriented policing and the police aimed to get an initial 4.8 million users, including 600,000 RakanCop members.
“We want the public to be our eyes and ears and help us in making our country safer.
“It is our proactive approach to working together much more closely with the community to combat crime,” he told a press conference after the launch of the new app by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in conjunction with the 210th Police Day celebration.
Najib, in his speech, praised the police initiative to introduce the new app.
“I am confident it will bring community-oriented policing to a new level,” he added yesterday.
The VSP also received praises from various groups, including Community Policing Malaysia.
Its founder Kuan Chee Heng said most people already had smartphones and the police can use technology to fight crime. “It’s good as the people are involved in helping out,” he said yesterday.
Kuan added that the app can also help in investigation as users could take photos and videos of crimes which happen near them.
“For the police, it is also good for evidence collection. For example, if there is an abuse case nearby, users can just snap photos or videos before sending it to the police using the VSP app,” he said.
Malaysians Against Rape, Assault and snatch theft (MARAH) founder Dave Avran said VSP users could keep track and follow-up on their complaints.
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