THE National Patriots’ Association (Patriot) will provide legal advice to the cops who are facing internal action for allowing their patrol car to be inspected by Pakatan Harapan (PH) party workers during the Rantau by-election.

Patriots deputy president Mahamud Ahmad said the group made the decision after it was reported that disciplinary action will be taken on the two policemen.

“We will give legal advice to the personnel,” he told reporters at a press conference today.

Inspector-General of Police Fuzi Harun was quoted by Sinar Harian as saying that disciplinary action will be taken on the policemen for giving in to the demand of the party workers to inspect the patrol car.

Fuzi said it will be done based on the procedures of the Integrity and Standard Compliance Department.

Meanwhile, the group’s president Brig-Jen (Rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji said the police should conduct a thorough probe on the incident before making an announcement on its next course of action on the cops involved or other members of the force.

“It was not necessary to make the announcement to the media and to blow it up.

“We are of the view it was not a smart move on the police’s part to make a statement that disciplinary action will be taken on the patrol car personnel.”

He said the cops had to give in to the demands of the party workers to prevent chaos from ensuing and the vehicle from being damaged.

Arshad said the police should prioritise on uplifting the spirits and morale of their comrades which has been dented by the incident so that they will be able to carry out their duties without fear.

Five PKR members have been arrested for allegedly stopping and inspecting a police patrol vehicle during the Rantau by-election.

Meanwhile, Patriots vice-president Zulkifli Mohamed said police should also take into consideration that the cops had had to act within a split second at that time.

“Please take into account the situation the cops were in. Were they given proper training on how to handle such situations?”

The former deputy commissioner of Police said the Inspector-General’s Standing Order (IGSO) has laid down the procedures on handling mobile patrol vehicles and the training that patrol police have to undergo for that purpose.

Zulkifli, who was directly involved in the drafting of the IGSO, said the priority now should be on reforming the declining morale of the police force.

“We can’t use disciplinary action to straighten up cops. This will only lead to them acting unprofessionally.

“My advice to the police is to look at the welfare of its members,” he said while acknowledging that the morale of the police force has been on the decline.

He said there is also need to review the grade of policemen.

“The Police is a paramilitary which is exposed to certain forms of risk which is different from other civil service.

“Their grades should be reviewed. We should make the police force great again.

“For instance, look at the uniforms for instance. There are parties imitating police uniforms.”

He also raised his concern over the uniforms and vehicles of local councils’ enforcement units which resembles that of the police.

He said that this could expose them to certain risks if they are mistaken for police. – April 22, 2019.