KUCHING: Members of the Padawan police force face stern disciplinary action if they are found patronising cyber gambling outlets or involving themselves in drugs.
Padawan district police chief Supt Ng Ah Lek said involvement in the two illicit activities would severely tarnish the image of the force and warned that he would not take matters lightly if any of his personnel were found to be involved.
“Gambling and drug abuse will not only negatively affect the image of the force, but will also result in the community losing trust in us.
“I will not compromise with any officers or rank-and-file personnel who are found to be involved in these two unhealthy activities,” he said during a monthly parade held at Padawan district police headquarters in Siburan yesterday.
He said up to this month, the district police had conducted 79 raids against cyber gambling outlets which resulted in 313 arrests and 1,227 computers seized, with the majority of cases successfully charged in court under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
Additionally, the district Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) had detained 267 individuals for various drug-related offences in the past one month alone following successful raids at known drug hot spots.
“Apart from cyber and drug busts, personnel from the district Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) have also been active in the first six months of this year, seizing 3,220 copies of pirated and pornographic discs under Ops Ostrich and 1,272 banners advertising the services of illegal money lenders under Ops Vulture.”
Overall, Ng said the crime index for Padawan district had declined by 20 per cent or 100 cases so far this year compared to the same period in 2014 with street crime recorded the biggest drop of 66.67 per cent or 18 cases.
He also said that police had detained several persons involved in house break-in cases in Batu Kawa and would be also increasing police patrols in the Stapok area following a recent unsuccessful break-in attempt at the residence of Padawan Municipal Council chairman Lo Khere Chiang.
During the parade, Ng presented commendation certificates to members of the force as well as to four Sesco staff for their continued assistance during cyber gambling raids, and to a supermarket security guard for helping to apprehend a snatch thief in Batu Kawa.
Padawan deputy police chief DSP Yap Fui Lee, district police department heads as well as other senior officers were among those present during yesterday’s parade.