IGP: RR repeal a challenge to improve investigation skills

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KUALA LUMPUR: In line with the recent repeal of the Restricted Residence Act 1933, the police will strengthen their capability and efficiency, including improving investigation skills and the intelligence network of the force.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said the repeal of the act was a challenge which would be countered by the force with relentless efforts to overcome its weaknesses.

He said a meeting with senior directors at the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman was held to identify measures and methods to improve the capability of police officers, especially in assignment investigations.

“In the meeting, we agreed to find proactive ways and methods to strengthen the police force, especially in criminal investigation cases, commercial crime and narcotics,” he said.

Ismail was speaking to reporters after the opening a Mandarin Language Studies Programme organised by the police, Malaysian Kong Zi Institute and Universiti Malaya at the Police College in Cheras here yesterday.

The six-month course begins today, with 60 police officers and men from several departments.

Ismail said improvement in police capabilities would include more sophisticated and scientific equipment in forensics.

He said he was satisfied with the force’s success in resolving more criminal cases this year and the last.

Nonetheless, he encouraged members of the force to take up courses in communications skills, including the learning of languages and effective interaction with the people.

He said the command of additional languages, including Mandarin, would enable the police to interact more effectively with various races.

In addition, he said, cooperation with their counterparts in other countries in sharing information and intelligence to wipe out international criminals would be made easier when communication was facilitated by the command of additional languages.

He said, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in a recent meeting with the force, had stressed that police should acquire skills in three main languages to function more effectively.

Ismail said Mandarin was
the most widely used language among 7,413 ethnic languages recorded throughout the world, followed by Spanish, English and Hindi.

“Therefore, the selection of the police to learn Mandarin is appropriate as it is widely used.

“We hope the Mandarin course would be extended to more members of the police force and in future, perhaps other international languages such Arabic and Spanish would be offered, as well.” he said. — Bernama