SABAH COPS TO USE JET SKIS

SANDAKAN: Police will be adding jet skis (water scooters) to the facilities at their disposal in beefing up coastal security patrols in the State.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said the approach which was launched here in conjunction with the Sabah Police Crime Awareness Day here, would be broadened to coastal areas statewide.

"I have also instructed all district police chiefs to implement the use of jet skis especially during peak times which is also part of efforts to enhance ties between the police and the people who have helped a lot in curbing crime," he said.

He said this during a media conference after launching the Police Crime Awareness Day held at Piazza, Harbour Mall here on Saturday.

The launching was officiated at by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, who is also State Security Committee Chairman.

"The ceremony was also part of an initiative and 29 approaches implemented by the police in fighting crime under the National Key Result Area, including high profile policing such as Ops Payung, Rakan Cop, auxiliary police, police meet-and-greet the people session and numerous other initiatives," he said.

In line with the focus on five hotspots, namely Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Tawau and Lahad Datu, implementation of the jet ski patrol particularly in coastal areas, could also help police in crime prevention.

Earlier in his speech, Hamza said the Key Performance Index for Sabah police is targeted at lowering the street crime index and to make the satisfaction level on police customer services increase to 65 per cent.

He explained that the commitment and continued efforts by officers and police personnel plus help from the people, the crime index in the State has recorded a decrease by 531 cases compared to previous years.

Until Nov. 30 this year, there were 5,548 cases compared to 6,079 cases the same period last year.

The Key Performance Index set under the National Key Result Areas for the Sabah police was also reached and if the achievement was maintained this year would be the third consecutive year to do so.

Hamza is optimistic that with the help and cooperation from all quarters, it would not be impossible to achieve the target of decreasing the number of crimes. (DE)