The Star Online: Metro: Central
The Star Online: Metro: Central |
| Council seeks approval for an auxiliary police unit for third time Posted: 26 Jun 2013 04:08 AM PDT FOR the third time the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has submitted an application to the Federal Government to establish an auxiliary police force. Peatling Jaya mayor Datin Paduka Alinah Ahmad said there was an urgent need for the auxiliary police to increase frequency of patrols in neighbourhoods and commercial areas to curb crime. She said the residents felt that crime was on the rise including armed attacks. "The council is encouraging families to spend quality time together outdoors but people live in fear. "Cases of families being robbed at restaurants, handbags being snat-ched and mugging outside LRT stations are being reported via social media," said Alinah. "Police do conduct patrols but rarely on foot. Residential and commercial areas need greater police presence especially around eateries and bus stops. "An auxiliary police force can act as a critical link with the communities to curb crime," she added. On June 15 last year, MBPJ submitted its second application after the first in February 2009. Recently, Damansara Utama assemblyman Yeo Bee Yin in a press conference with Bukit Gasing's Rajiv Rishyakaran and Kampung Tunku's Lau Weng San said the police had rejected earlier applications citing "redundancy of duties". Yeo said there were 1,323 police officers in Petaling Jaya, which has a population of 620,000. "The ratio is one police officer to 470 residents. It is well below guidelines set by Interpol, which is one police officer to 250 residents. "We need at least 2,480 more police officers patrolling the streets," she added. Rajiv said the main aim of the force was to provide a coordinated approach to crime fighting where the auxiliary police would engage with the people. Rajiv cited Johor which has a ratio of one policeman to 218 residents. "The police had approved the formation of an auxiliary police force in the Iskandar region in Johor. "It happened at almost the same time when MBPJ made its second application in 2012," he said. Alinah, who has been in office for almost six months, said the earlier applications had not cited sufficient reasons on the need for an auxiliary police force. "Now we have ample reasons together with support from the residents. Once approved, we will have a pilot project where these police officers will be an integral part of the council's efforts to curb crime and improve the quality of life in our city," said Alinah. She added that the auxiliary policemen would be trained to observe and report situations that require the services of regular police, complementing the latter in field work. A retired senior police officer said the police force were short-handed and confidence in the force had declined. "Investigation officers are unable to follow up on crime cases with all victims. But it is important to do so. Now there is a gap between the initial report and follow-up. "Auxiliary police can work on this as it is important for intelligence gathering and to establish trust with residents," he said. |
| MBPJ advised to keep recruits to 50 Posted: 26 Jun 2013 04:08 AM PDT SMALLER is better — that was the Selangor Police Contingent's (IPK) feedback on the formation of an auxiliary police force. Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) public relations director Haniza Abdul Hamid said the council had proposed 100 recruits for its auxiliary police application but IPK had advised the council to keep it to 50. "Our third application sent on Wednesday mentioned 50 recruits for the pilot project," said Haniza. She added that the number of people involved in the pilot project would have a significant impact on its performance. "We hope our application will be considered. Once we show results to curb crime, the council will apply to take in more recruits," she said. Haniza explained that becoming an auxiliary police officer would be demanding but there were rewards. "They can contribute to the wellbeing of the community. "It will be great for someone looking to pursue law enforcement or a graduate seeking experience. It will look good on their résumé," she said. Haniza said active residents' associations and Rukun Tetangga were given RM5,000 annually each to initiate Neighbourhood Safety Patrols. "In 2011, we approved allocations for 65 resident groups while 72 groups were given the allocation last year. "This year, 61 have applied and we have given it to 41 groups, amounting to RM205,000," she said, adding that this was a good method to curb crime. |
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