Complaints from the public will continue to pour in until police personnel change their work values and alter their mindset, said Inspector-General of Police Mohd Bakri Omar today.

The police chief said the changes were pertinent in order to secure public confidence in the force, which is submerged in allegations of misconduct.

Mohd Bakri said although the government had set up a special commission to enhance the police force, its personnel must also change their ways and thinking.

"Public complaints will see no end with the setting up of any commission if we ourselves do not care to see an improvement in values and mindset," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

In view of this, he said among the steps taken to improve the force's image was to enhance the awareness in terms of honesty and responsibility in every police personnel towards the community.

The IGP was speaking at the launch of the Science Police Diploma for the 2004/2005 session with the cooperation of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia at Senior Police Officers College in Kuala Lumpur.

'High-handed'

The Special Commission to Enhance the Management and Operations of the Police - as it is known in full - was formed six months ago to find ways to improve the force.

The 16-member commission, headed by former chief justice Mohamad Dzaiddin Abdullah, is also on a nationwide tour to gather complaints from the public.

Among the matters being looked into are cases of custodial deaths, remand orders and corruption in the force.

Under its terms of reference, the commission is expected to deliver two reports to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. By extension, these reports will be delivered to the government.

Prior to the final report, Dzaiddin had said the commission can be expected to make recommendations on matters which are not related to major structural and legal amendments - as and when necessary.

Over the years, the police here have been accused of employing high-handed measures. Among others, rights groups have criticised it over the 'indiscriminate' killing of suspected criminals and the alarming number of detainees dying in custody.