Police work is getting more challenging: So how? Take drugs? Simply shoot?

Published: Wednesday May 12, 2010 MYT 5:02:00 PM

Police work is getting more challenging: Terengganu CPO

KUALA TERENGGANU: Heightened awareness of fundamental and individual rights demands that the police change their method and approach in implementing policing duties, Terengganu police chief Datuk Mohd Shukri Dahlan said Wednesday.

He said it made the work of the police more difficult and challenging than in the past.

"It is acknowledged that it is difficult to implement this responsibility and strike a balance between justice and fundamental rights, especially when it involves arrests, detentions and interrogation of suspects," he said when addressing the monthly assembly of the Terengganu police contingent.

Mohd Shukri said the public focus on several recent incidents involving deaths caused by policemen opening fire had raised various perceptions of the police force.

This had put the police in a situation where they were vulnerable to accusations, speculation and perceptions, he said. As such, he reminded police personnel to refrain from using their weapons unless in self-defence, saying the important role of the police was to protect the fundamental rights of the people.

Mohd Shukri said that in this matter there was no specific legislation that empowered the police to shoot while on duty unless it was in a situation where their lives were threatened.

"In this matter, the policemen have no option other than to abide by the directives and existing laws in the force," he said.

On another matter, Mohd Shukri said the Terengganu police had taken action against 11 low-ranking police personnel for drug abuse in the first four months of this year.

He said the policemen were being held pending investigation. Mohd Shukri also said that in the same period, 3,645 people were held under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for having, using and distributing drugs.

The value of the drugs seized during the period was RM742,504.25, up by RM66,933.15 from the corresponding period last year, he added. - Bernama

Wow! This is really scary lah! Firstly, no specific legislation - shoot only if lives are threatened. Just like Aminul who reversed his car to ram into the police car! Life-threatening, you know!