‘Cops cannot refuse to take a report’

KUALA LUMPUR: Any police personnel here who refuse to accept reports from the public will be queried by the city’s top cop.

“I will investigate such instances,” said city police chief Comm Datuk Allaudeen Abdul Majid in response to allegations of several policemen refusing to receive a report from a person who had allegedly been extorted by policemen.

Not mincing his words, he said everyone should be aware of their duties.

“There is no such thing as refusing to take a police report. The report must be taken before being classified by officers who have been given the power to do so.

“Stop this nonsense. I am saying this to all those serving in Kuala Lumpur,” he said after his monthly address at the contingent headquarters here yesterday.

Comm Allaudeen added that multiple warnings and reminders had been issued on the matter.

“In this case, we have identified those who had refused to accept the report, and the Integrity and Standards Compliance Department for Kuala Lumpur have started investigations.

“I will take strict action. This is serious,” he said, adding that any possible wrongdoing would lead to an internal investigation.

“I mean business. I have instructed all district police chiefs to take action to prevent these few from continuing to tarnish the police force’s name.

“There are no two ways about it. If we need to charge (the officers), we will. If we need to take disciplinary action, we will,” he said.

Those who perform well will have their efforts recognised, he added.

On preliminary action, Comm Allaudeen said personnel under investigation would be immediately transferred.

“If it involves public interest, the short-term action is that we will transfer them.

“Following that, we will investigate, where we will need time and space while also being fair.

“We will also suspend them if it is a high-profile matter such as criminal activity, extortion or serious disciplinary violations,” he said.

Comm Allaudeen’s comments came following the circulation of a story about a man who was reportedly extorted by four policemen in Kepong.

It was alleged that multiple attempts were made to file a report but were unsuccessful until his third attempt on Jan 4.

In a previous statement on the alleged incident, Comm Allaudeen said four suspects aged between 29 and 41 years old had been arrested.