Effective and decisive police work constitutes reaching out to the people, understanding their problems and needs, and executing lasting solutions to criminal activities.

penang crime police lim guan eng event pc 260908 ayub yaakob By definition, said Penang police chief Ayub Yaakob, the police must have the “grassroots touch”.

He said people must have easy access to the police to enable them to find quick solutions to their safety and security concerns. As stakeholders, the public have the right to demand adequate, sufficient and effective responses against criminal threats.

Once the police understand that citizens are stakeholders, they can carry out their tasks to ensure that the people not only live safely but also feel safe.

The police must always stand ready to respond swiftly to public calls for protection from criminals, hear out their problems and issues, and find sustainable solutions.

“This will instill public confidence in police work and will influence them to work closely with the force to tackle crime. The force will earn respect for its professionalism,” he told Malaysiakini .

By showing that the police are prepared to resolve problems and issues, they will increase confidence in their role in developing a safe living and working environment.

Forging ties

The police chief said close working ties can be forged through interaction with residents associations and neighbourhood watch groups, among others, to ensure the success of community policing.

police brutality sinister corruption secrets The police could mobilise individuals, NGOs and community groups into a powerful, effective and united unit under police guidance to combat crime. In this respect, community policing could lend a hand in curbing the crime rate.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had recently asked Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for an allocation of RM58.6 million and 400 policemen to beef up security for the state’s 1.8 million people.

Federal assistance is needed to install 400 close-circuit television cameras in strategic spots for surveillance, at a cost of RM43.6 million.

The remaining RM15 million is to be used in implementing a comprehensive community policing project across Penang.