Cops in alleged sexual harassment cases identified

 

Police have identified their personnel accused of harassing two women drivers stopped at separate movement control order roadblocks.

Bukit Aman Integrity and Standard Compliance Department (Jips) director Zamri Yahya said the investigation was jointly conducted by the Kuala Lumpur and Bukit Aman Jips.

"Jips has recorded statements from the two complainants to get a clear picture on the police personnel accused of harassing them, as well as any evidence.

"This (process) includes identification of the police personnel involved, and if there were any recorded communications between them," Zamri told Malaysiakini.

"The personnel have been identified and their statements recorded, to get information or a confession over the accusations made against them," he said.

He added the investigation was also looking at the conduct and compliance procedures while on duty.

Yesterday, two women separately took to Twitter and recounted their experiences of being allegedly harassed after being stopped at MCO roadblocks.

In both cases, the women said a police personnel had recorded their personal details including phone numbers.

One of them said she received an unsolicited text message, while the other said she was allegedly asked to expose herself in order to avoid being fined.

Meanwhile, Zamri said police were also looking for additional statements from any witnesses who are able to confirm the harassment claims.

He added that Jips would also look at overall procedures and orders issued to police personnel assigned at the MCO roadblocks nationwide.

Separately, Bukit Aman Sexual, Women and Child Investigations Division (D11) principal assistant director Siti Kamsiah Hassan said other victims of alleged harassment could also come forward with their complaints.

"It is good for them to lodge a report as a lesson to others, if it is true there was any misconduct.

"This is so no one will take the issue of communication rules and ethics lightly, and also be more sensitive, even if with good intentions to offer advice (to a driver stopped at a roadblock)," she told Malaysiakini.

At the same time, Kamsiah said investigations must ensure that neither parties, be it the law enforcement officers or the public, were made victims of the situation. - Mkini