A total of 1,164 police officers and personnel faced disciplinary action last year, according to the Police Commission Annual Report 2004 tabled in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Various forms of action were initiated against the errant cops including suspension while some were told to leave the force.

A majority of the disciplinary cases involved disobedience, tarnishing the image of the police force, erring in duty and for being inefficient.

The highest number of police personnel who faced disciplinary hearings were those of lance corporal ranking.

This year saw a 26-case increase compared to 2003, according to the commission headed by Prime Minister and Internal Security Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

In its report, the commission attributed the increase to the disciplinary authority's greater concern efficiency over the matter.

"...this is in tandem with the efforts to restore the police force's image in the eyes of the public with hopes to establish a police force that is good in safeguarding the country's security, peace and order," read the report.

Meanwhile, the report also stated that a total of 3,664 men and 658 women were recruited into the police force last year from 75,455 applications.

Accusations of brutality and corruption against the police force here, had also led Abdullah to set up the Royal Police Commission.

The commission made 125 recommendations to improve the police force but the government has yet to show its full commitment in implementing them.

Recently, a spate of police abuse allegations, including a controversial video clip, has sparked another uproar.