IGP warns against unauthorised use of police force’s identity

 Khalid Ismail says the force's official identity is an institutional asset that must be protected from exploitation for profit or use in a way that creates a misleading impression.

IGP Khalid Ismail advised the public not to assume that a product or service has received official approval or endorsement merely because police personnel are involved in an event. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Police have warned individuals, companies and organisations against using the force’s name, emblem, images of officers, or other official identifiers without permission for promotional, marketing, advertising or commercial purposes.

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail said the force’s official identity was an institutional asset that must be protected from exploitation for profit or use in a way that creates a misleading impression.

“The presence of a police officer at a programme must not be interpreted as an endorsement, expression of support or recognition of a product, service, investment or commercial activity,” he said in a statement today.

Although he did not specify any particular incident, he advised the public not to assume that a product or service had received official approval or endorsement merely because police personnel were involved in an event.

He said parties that unlawfully or misleadingly used the police force’s identity could be investigated, including under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which criminalises the misuse of network facilities or services. - FMT