KUALA LUMPUR: Alliance For A Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said it is timely to reassess the recruitment and training modules for all new police, following issues of misconduct among personnel.
He said the module should ensure that all new recruits receive comprehensive training encompassing noble values and integrity, along with essential skills and principles to uphold professionalism.
"There should be a greater focus on instilling moral values, discipline and integrity. If we want to build a police force that can serve well, it must begin with the recruitment exercise," he told the New Straits Times.
Lee, who is the former Bukit Bintang member of parliament, said there is also a need to focus on mental,and spiritual strength, discipline and integrity to enable the police to serve the nation effectively.
He said the integrity of the police institution is paramount to earning public respect, so misconduct among police officers must be addressed promptly.
"Given the pressure they (the police) face, mental health reinforcement is essential. Soft skills must also be proven when recruits are trained," he said, adding that the officers should also be multilingual to communicate proficiently.
Lee likened the situation of errant police officers to the proverb "Harapkan pagar, pagar makan padi" (Putting hope on the fence which then eats the padi)
When asked about the Home Minister's stance that such a step was unnecessary due to the high number of applicants, Lee maintained the importance of reviewing the training module.
Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said police are reviewing their new officer and personnel recruitment modules following recent cases of police misconduct.
He said the current recruitment process, according to category and rank, has set procedures and required physical and fitness checks.
The review will also involve religious modules for Muslims and moral modules for non-Muslims, he said, adding that a detailed study would be conducted before changes are made to existing modules.