I EXPECTED stern disciplinary action to be taken against Inspector Sheila Sharon Steven Kumar and was surprised when criminal proceedings were commenced instead.

Viral videos of the cop indicated that the 35-year-old had breached police decorum and violated the force’s spirit and philosophy to serve and protect.

The police are trained to be firm and courteous at all times with the public when exercising their powers as stipulated in the Criminal Procedure Code.

Sheila’s public conduct, as shown the videos, leaves much to be desired but her brash reaction to a junior police officer trying to exert his authority over her is a different matter altogether.

This will be ventilated in court and we should not speculate any further. The burden now is upon the prosecution to make out a prima facie case and we will be privy to the evidence when proceedings commence.

It augurs well for the image of the police that it has taken swift action against one of its own. Sheila too will have her day in court to defend herself and have her say, in accordance with the rule of law.

However, there is the question of police personnel being involved in other more serious case of corruption and abuse of power that have not been as swiftly dealt with.

Police have been caught in the acts of drunk driving, corruption and abuse of power in cases that took a long time, sometimes years, before they reach the court.

This seeming selective prosecution is another reason for the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission to be set up as soon as possible.

Arrogance can come with the police uniform. In Sheila’s case, we have to allow the law to take its course. – June 27, 2023.

* G. Selva reads The Malaysian Insight.