Stop being in denial mode, cops told

(National Express) – “A fish starts rotting from its head. Because we are the head here, we must take care of that integrity,” Zahid said.

The police should stop being “in denial” about negative public perception of the force’s integrity, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

He  said that the process of keeping the force’s integrity should start from the higher ups, who will then be emulated by the junior ranking officers.

“A fish starts rotting from its head. Because we are the head here, we must take care of that integrity,” Zahid said.

“We need a joint commitment. The time is over for us to be in denial about the negative perception that has taken place all this while,” Zahid said at a police officers event in Cheras today.

“Do not think that the people do not know what we are doing,” he added.

Zahid was launching the police rebranding of the Logistical Department to become the Department of Strategic and Technological Resources.

In his speech the home minister who is also Umno vice-president, said he wants to change the perception that crime is increasing despite in actuality it had reduced by 35 per cent.

He believed such a perception would result in the public having a biased view of the authorities.

In changing such notion, Zahid admitted that the force is faced with restrictions and limitations in its budget to modernise its equipment and assets.

He listed old patrol cars which and closed circuit cameras as some of the equipment that need replacement.

“We want modern equipment, assets which are up to date. But we must also be prepared at all times to tackle crime with the equipment that we possess.”

Zahid said the public should also be fair to the police who are doing their best despite facing limitations equipment-wise.