EAIC recommends bodycam SOPs for Immigration Dept after assault claims

The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has recommended that the Immigration Department enforce specific standard operating procedures in the use and storage of bodycam footage by its enforcement officers and personnel.

The recommendation was made to Immigration Department director-general Zakaria Shaaban after an individual was allegedly assaulted by an officer from the department’s Kuala Lumpur branch during an enforcement operation on June 25, last year.

“This recommendation aims to ensure transparency when carrying out duties and to avoid any future accusations from the public.

“The implementation of this SOP is important in ensuring the integrity and accountability of enforcement agencies, so public trust towards these agencies can also be enhanced,” said EAIC in a statement today.

Previously, EAIC said that the alleged assault was being investigated under Subsection 27(4) of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009.

The agency said that the investigation papers opened by the police on this case have been classified as no further action by the deputy public prosecutor.

Based on the testimony, the EAIC said that the complainant was unable to identify or recognise any of the officers or personnel allegedly involved in the incident.

“The body camera footage could not be obtained because the recorded data is only stored for 30 days. The CCTV footage at the location of the incident also could not be obtained because the CCTV equipment had been removed immediately after the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department raided the premises,” said EAIC.

It also emphasised that all Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department officers and personnel involved in the operation had given their testimonies, denying any assault or use of force on the complainant.

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