SOME bad apples in the police force are allegedly giving the uniform a bad name.

All the excellent work and sacrifice done thus far in supporting the frontliners during this pandemic is in danger of being undone.

The police must not delay completing a thorough investigation into all the allegations as soon as possible. Justice delayed is definitely justice denied.

It does not augur well for public trust and confidence during the movement control order (MCO).

Firm enforcement is being overlapped by criminal acts of excessive force. The most significant criminal act was the allegation of rape by a senior police officer in Petaling Jaya.

The suspect is out on bail and has been suspended as the Attorney-General’s Chamber decide whether there is enough evidence to prosecute him.

I trust the investigations has encompassed the possibility of others who may have abetted him from the point the victims were apprehended at the roadblock.

If SOP were strictly followed by all the personnel on duty at the material time, this allegation would have no room to surface.

The allegations by the victim and other witnesses must be given due relevance especially when there are other corroborating material facts.

I am sure the police too will leave no stone left unturned in investigating this heinous betrayal in the alleged criminal act by a senior police officer who is entrusted in the maintaining law and order.

The law must come down harder on those who have enforcement powers entrusted for the purposes of protecting and serving society.

There is also the allegation that police officers arrested an MCO violator in Sg Petani who was on crutches and claimed to have undergone a surgery in his hip area. 

The arrest by itself is not out of the ordinary as stopping an individual to make inquiries are part and parcel of patrolling duties.

But the allegation that he was put in the police vehicle booth with another, is totally baffling.

This is definitely not the norm, not part of police SOP and more seriously, has criminal ingredients of wrongful confinement. It is a sizeable offence. 

If found to be true, these officers should not be spared by the law as they have marred the image of the majority of their colleagues.

I am on the same page that we need enforcement to be firm in the implementation of the MCO but we must not forget that there must always be compassion in justice.

The criminal justice system must create a balance within its three branches. We cannot have ordinary citizens being treated so harshly right from the time they are stopped, detained, through the process of proceedings and sentenced.

There must be empathy for those being put through the mill as they are not hardened criminals. 

Dissent must be expected from these violators as bewilderment will add to the traumatic stress when they face the long arm of the law.

It is astounding that students, senior citizens and ordinary workers are serving prison time for violating the MCO.

Why is it that our criminal justice system cannot find the right balance to punish them in such a way that all concerned will feel that compassion and justice have been intertwined?

It will go a long way in winning hearts and minds of the public especially when this war against the virus is not going to end soon.

The police too must act fairly in applying the law to all segments of society without fear or favour.

The inability to take the same level of action against those in position, who flout the same laws is disappointing, to say the least.

In fact the criminal justice system must come down more firmly and sternly on those in positions of accountability and responsibility. Anything less than the same treatment that ordinary members of the public are put through, clearly sends the wrong message.

The law must be seen and felt to be fair and firm to all concerned. Enforcement must be strict and uncompromising when dealing with serious violators of the MCO but discretion must always be exercised compassionately.

This must be complemented with a high level of tolerance for dissent. Patience and firm steadfastness will only improve the respect for all enforcement agencies and make policing more effective.

The degree of when dissent escalates to unacceptable levels such as obstruction, lewd remarks and any attempt to use criminal force must be dealt firmly and swiftly.

Appropriate force used at the right time will only enhance the overall image of the police force and it will be precious commodity for the future of modern policing when you win hearts and minds of the people. – April 26, 2020.

* G. Selva reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.