KUALA LUMPUR: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has found negligence in the handling of a firearms training exercise at the Northern Region Rela Training Centre that resulted in an injury to a trainee.
The commission said it had conducted investigations into complaints involving alleged negligence during a firearms training session at training centre on Nov 15, 2024, which led to injuries sustained by a participant of the Basic Induction Course for Rela officers.
"We also investigated claims that the firearms training session conducted on the same date did not comply with existing legal provisions.
"Investigations were carried out pursuant to Subsection 27(4) of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009 (Act 700)," the commission said in a statement on Tuesday (Feb 24).
The commission found that negligence had occurred on the part of Rela officers who were on duty as the Range Conducting Officer and Site Officer during the training exercise.
"We also discovered that the management of the training centre failed to lodge a police report and did not submit an official report to the Rela headquarters regarding the incident.
"Further investigations revealed non-compliance with the conditions stipulated under the Temporary Firearms Licence/Permit Approval issued by the Kedah police headquarters," it said.
Among the conditions was a requirement that each shooter be assisted by a police officer during the training session.
"We have decided to refer the results of the investigation to Rela’s Disciplinary Authority with a recommendation that disciplinary action be taken against the officers involved.
"The officers may face action under Paragraph 4(2)(j) of the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 [P.U.(A) 246] for negligence in the performance of their duties.
"We also recommended that Rela undertake a comprehensive review and refinement of all standard operating procedures (SOP) related to the handling and conduct of firearms training to ensure full compliance with existing laws and regulations," it added.
The EAIC stressed that strict adherence to established procedures is crucial to safeguard the safety of personnel and trainees during firearms training exercises.
