KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Lower-ranked police personnel's salaries, logistics and requirements will be given priority in efforts to enhance the integrity of the police force, says Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador.
He said the salaries earned by police personnel with the rank of sergeant and below were low and not enough to cover the cost of living – especially for those stationed in cities.
"I ask the government to reconsider, as this is already enjoyed by policemen in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia and other developed countries.
"Only by raising the salaries will the risk of corruption be reduced and the temptation to commit crime (to earn money) can also be minimised," he said.
Speaking to Bernama in a special interview here on Monday (June 10), he expressed hope that the government would consider the services of police personnel as special as they were entrusted with great authority and power – and equally amounts of danger.
"When they don't get their rewards, the tendency to commit crime is wide open," he said.
Abdul Hamid said in terms of personnel strength, the current number was adequate for the time being and all posts filled by the Public Service Department were also sufficient.
"I understand the government's (financial) situation at this time but the security business is not cheap ... I appeal to the government to provide more allocation and InsyaAllah (God willing), as the IGP, I will work to ensure that there will be no deviations in the provisions allocated," he said.
He said earlier that there was talk saying the allocation for the police force did not reach the target and there were allegations of irregularities at both state and contingent levels.
"Shoes and uniforms (from the allocation) did not reach police officers and personnel and they are forced to use their own money to cover the costs.
"The system also requires them to submit the receipts so that they can claim reimbursement," he said.
Recognising the needs of the lower-ranked policemen, Abdul Hamid said he would update the logistics and based on his visits thus far he found that there were police stations in dilapidated condition.
During his visit to the Tanah Merah police station (near Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan) which has 10 police personnel, he saw that the police quarters to house four families were in dire need of repairs.
"By right, the repair works shouldn't be that costly, compared to RM300 per month (RM3,600 a year) of house allowance for each family that the government is forced to spend ... and that's only house allowance.
He said police personnel living in rented accommodation faced challenges due to their irregular working hours as they had to fork out their own money when using their own vehicles to commute to and from police stations. – Bernama
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