Penang cops: 171 disciplinary investigation papers opened last year

GEORGE TOWN: Penang police have opened a total of 171 disciplinary investigation papers involving 314 officers and personnel, as well as civil servants in the state-contingent last year, an increase of 35.71% compared to 2020.

State police chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said all the investigation papers involved 43 police officers, 269 personnel and two civil servants involving various offences.

"Last year, we opened 171 investigation papers, namely 107 disciplinary cases, crime (33), drugs (17), absenteeism or no-show (8), Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission cases (4) and two more involving syariah cases.

"Of the 314 people involved, 28 are still under investigation for action, including suspension, detention and dismissal. It is only after the Disciplinary Board had convened and made a decision and the sentence handed down, would they be in the sentence statistics," he told reporters at the Monthly Assembly and ‘Lafaz Ikrar’(pledge of allegiance), here on Wednesday (Jan 5).

He said offences involving officers and police personnel showed an increase of 45 cases in 2021 compared to 2020, with 126 investigation papers recorded and his department would not compromise on those involved in misconduct and disciplinary action would be taken to protect the good name of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).

Mohd Shuhaily added the crime rate in Penang recorded a drop of 27.3 % to 3,381 cases during 2021, compared to 5,269 cases in 2020.

He said based on the study and investigation carried out, it was found that criminal cases had decreased last year due to several movement control orders implemented by the government and the presence of the police in the focus areas, preventing criminals from committing crimes.

"In the context of property crimes, there were only 2,900 cases last year compared to 4,263 cases in 2020 which showed a drop of 1,303 cases, or 31%," he said.

He said there were 931 cases of violent crime and it also decreased by 12.7% compared to the 2020 with 1,666 cases. - Bernama