Poor police force

ARCHIVES 2013

By admin-s On Oct 11, 2013

(FMT) – Despite millions for the force, its officers have been coughing up funds from their own pockets for fuel, repairs bills, office equipment and other essentials

While the government spends millions of ringgit constructing new police stations, the plight of normal police officers who work frantically on tight schedules and at the same time encounter constant risks, is plainly forgotten.

A random check by FMT at several police stations in the Klang Valley revealed that many officers are dealing with challenging situations such as patrolling in damaged police cars and ill-equipped stations.

In revealing his situation, a lance corporal who declined to be named, told FMT that he had to use his own motorcycle for his routine rounds and said that he foots the fuel bill from his own pockets due to inadequate patrol cars in his station.

Shockingly, the police officer further said that the patrol cars at the station where he works had been sent out for repairs to the district police workshop; and has since been under repair for months.

“The patrol car is ‘out of service’. It has been there (workshop) for months. I rather use my own Yamaha 125z to do my rounds but I have to pay the fuel from my own pocket and it costs me RM30 per day and I can’t make any claim,” the officer said.

When asked on why he refused to use the bike provided by the station he said that the motorbike consumed more fuel and the condition of the bike was not good.

“This scrambler is not user friendly. The fuel tank is smaller and it consumes more fuel. It is a hassle for us. The tyres meanwhile are not safe. Once I almost fell as I was on my routine checks and it is not that comfortable either,” said the officer.

Another officer from different police station said that he prefers to use his own money to repair the patrol car. He added that it would take three to four months for the patrol car to be repaired if he sends it to the district police workshop.