Disappointed with police attitude towards car theft

AS a police retiree, it pained me to read the article “If only cops had acted on my report, another theft could have been avoided!” (The Star, Jan 19), published online as “Frustration of losing your car and perils of getting it back” (https://bit.ly/3iQqgze).

According to the aggrieved person, he made two police reports – one on June 19, 2022 and another a few days later – on the loss of his vehicle, only to be told that the matter was not classified as a crime and that he should refer it for civil action.

Another case highlighted a car owner’s 2,400km drive to Thailand to retrieve his vehicle that had been rented to a man in Kuala Lumpur, “Risky trip to Thailand to get back cars” (https://bit.ly/3ZFYiad).

He said he also went to lodge a police report but was passed back and forth between the crime and commercial crime divisions.

What is happening in the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP)? As the main law enforcement agency, the police must act on the reports. The insipid attitude shown by the officers on the ground violates Section 3(3)of the Police Act 1967, which clearly defines the police powers in the preservation of peace and security, prevention and detection of crime, and the apprehension and prosecution of offenders.

The public would not want to go to any police station without a good reason. They are there to seek help to solve their problems.

Ground commanders and heads of the respective departments must play their part to ensure that the police delivery system is at its best. There must be strict supervision and monitoring of the officers on the ground. There is no room for officers with the “tidak apa attitude”!

Come March 25 this year, RMP will be celebrating the 216th Police Day. Let us not let a handful of irresponsible officers tarnish the good name of the force.

DATUK WEE BENG GEE

Petaling Jaya