All IPDs, police stations to emulate RMP's elite units

BERA: All district police headquarters (IPDs) and police stations will be further empowered to emulate the effectiveness and excellent performance of the special elite units of the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP).
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this was due to the fact that the excellent performance of these units, namely the Special Tactics and Intelligence Narcotics Group (STING), the Special Task Force on Organised Crime (STAFOC) and the Special Task Force for Anti-Vice, Gambling and Gangsterism (STAGG) in combating crimes was also closely related to the contributions and expertise of the IPDs and police stations.
He said that apart from creating a conducive working environment, the empowerment process of the IPDs and the police stations was also crucial to improve the quality of services, in line with the transformation of RMP in coming up with the three special elite forces.
"The cooperation between the IPDs, police stations and the elite forces' teams saw the crime index down by 53%, certified by a credible third party.
"Therefore, apart from the three special elite forces, the government is also determined to strengthen the capabilities of the IPDs and police stations to face the challenges of the policing world," he said when officiating the new building of the Bera IPD here today.
The event was also attended by Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim and Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Rosli Ab Rahman.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said the empowerment of the IPDs and police stations was in line with the Barisan Nasional (BN) manifesto, where 20 of the 42 highlights were directly related to strengthening the RMP.
To turn the RMP into a people-friendly force, the manifesto has also outlined efforts to intensify and to continue the 1Malaysia Resident Community grant for all residents’ associations for the purpose of purchasing security equipment and to implement crime prevention programmes, he said.
He added that the government would also increase the number of trained Rakan Cop and police volunteers to help prevent crime in their neighbourhoods and to increase the number of the voluntary patrol scheme (SRS) members to increase security and maintain peace in areas with high crime rates.
“What is presented in the manifesto are within the framework of a holistic and achievable plan if the BN is re-elected to establish a new government after the 14th General Election,” he said.
Commenting on the RMPs ahead of GE14, Ahmad Zahid said more than 80,000 police officers and personnel would be involved, starting from nomination day on April 28 and throughout the campaign period until polling day 11 days later (May 9).
At the same time, Ahmad Zahid also reminded the police officers and personnel involved in the GE14 to prepare for any possibility to ensure public order would be at its best during that period.
Meanwhile, Noor Rashid in his speech said the police were at the highest level of preparedness to ensure the electoral process was carried out in a peaceful and safe environment.
He said every RMP personnel has also been reminded to always be diligent and professional in carrying out their duties in order to avoid any implications that could affect the credibility of the force and the government’s image.
Noor Rashid also hoped that the community and the parties contesting to comply with all directives issued by the authorities and to steer clear from any action that would undermine public order during the election period. — Bernama