I refer to the Malaysiakini report BMC fracas: Errant cops should be charged .

For some time now the Malaysian police force has had some bad press. It is not the media's fault because journalists can only report what the police do. And now that Suhakam has come out into the open with its findings that the police had used excessive force on some bystanders in the Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) incident the public can only expect the police to bring those responsible to justice and do something about its culture of police brutality.

Some will recall seeing images of battered and bloodied bystanders including the driver of a car, Chang Jiun Haur who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. His car was stopped by the police and Chang and his companions were treated roughly and Chang subsequently charged with reckless driving.

I often wonder how the police who are supposed to uphold the law and protect citizens can turn into violent thugs and behave with criminal intent and adding insult to injury, enjoy impunity while the victims face some trumped-up charge.

What is frightening in the Malaysian setting is the police have become a law unto themselves.

They have become enmeshed in the political scheme and act as the tough enforcers for government politicians when their most important duty is to uphold the law without fear or favour and ensure that anyone who breaks the law is expeditiously charged. It must be obvious by now that the Malaysian police force is pathetically unprofessional and badly in need of a drastic shake-up because its personnel don't always know the difference between law and order and behave with culpable consequences.

I speak in general because I know there are still good police officers who may not have the freedom to act professionally because of the political interference. If they had an independent body to represent them and protect their interests, things also may be different in the force.

A royal commission into the police recommended the establishment of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission to provide a check and balance on police actions but despite his apparent haste to make reforms in other areas, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has largely ignored steps which could improve the police force and its image. Why?

I mean who would resist something that would enhance the operations of the police and its image and offer better protection to the public?

I don't need to answer that rhetorical question but suffice to say, the fact that some people don't want the IPCMC is good enough reason to implement it. After all, which thief wants someone to guard the safe? The truth is the police need to change for their own sake and for the sake of the nation.

Besides corruption, the police have to reform their culture of brutality and abuse. The practice of beating up citizens by the police is deeply and historically entrenched especially within a group like the FRU and it is time there is restraint and an upholding of the people's human rights, not to mention the law. The police have to let it sink in that they can't assault people and break the law.

When we were kids we used to run helter-skelter when the FRU red truck appeared on our streets because our parents told us they would beat up anyone they suspected of being a gangster or even someone they ‘didn't like’.

Nothing has changed, it seems, over the years. The police must respect and uphold the law and those who value law and order should not allow anyone to act above and must begin to push for a thorough reform of the police force.

Decent and professional members of the force ought to speak up and agitate for change from within. For better pay, better conditions of work, better career opportunities, serious commitment to be graft-free etc. There is no reason why they should not have a union to improve their lot.

I'd rather pay more taxes to pay for a decent police force than having one that pays itself through the back door. Meanwhile, the police should withdraw the reckless driving charge against the victim of the BMC incident and issue a public apology which should mitigate any claims against the police in a civil suit.

Honestly, until the day the police have a reputation for being clean, efficient and trustworthy, who will police the police?