He who has the power calls out the shorts

 

Is there or isn’t there a dress code for people who enter a police station? The answer is yes or no. It should be that simple.

Then why is there such uncertainty over it? All it takes is for the inspector-general of police to issue a directive to clear the air. His silence on this issue is puzzling.

The brouhaha started when a woman who went to make a police report at the Kajang police station was denied entry by the sentry because she was wearing shorts.

The woman disputed it. “The policeman saw what I was wearing (through the car window) and told me to leave. I was wearing Bermudas that covered my knees,” she said.

That fashion distinction failed to get her entry. The cop demonstrated the adage that he who has the power calls the shorts. She had to go away and return later with her knees duly covered. I didn’t know the police were interested in such cover-ups.

To make matters worse, the Kajang police chief Zaid Hassan confirmed the incident and said that the dress code for visitors was posted at the control post for reference. So then it was official policy?

Not really. Former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan, when asked about it, said that it was wrong for the police to stop anyone from entering the police station based on the person’s choice of attire.

He said that any officer who prevented anyone from lodging a report would be committing a disciplinary offence.

Would such an offence be police misconduct? Misconduct is defined in the Independent Police Conduct Commission Act as any act or inaction contrary to any written law; any act or inaction which is unreasonable, unjust, oppressive or improperly discriminatory; and any act or inaction which is committed on improper motives, irrelevant grounds or irrelevant consideration.

Musa said that “people can report (the matter) to the integrity and standard compliance department so that action can be taken against such officers.” He added that Bukit Aman should issue a directive to all police stations, instructing them to allow anyone to lodge a police report regardless of their attire.

But why is a former IGP saying this and not the current IGP?

If it is not official policy, then why is there no action taken for the Kajang breach?

Why is no one in authority providing clarity on this? Why does the right hand not know what the left hand is doing? Bewildered. Baffled. Befuddled.

I refuse to believe that our esteemed police force is a “morality police”. For one, it is not in their job description.

The Police Act 1967 states that the police force shall be employed “for the maintenance of law and order, the preservation of the peace and security of Malaysia, the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension and prosecution of offenders and the collection of security intelligence”.

Nowhere in the Police Act does it require them to impose dress codes on the public.

So, can we have some clarity on this please?

The duty of providing that enlightenment falls on the IGP.

Likewise, can we please have some clarity from the honourable IGP regarding the policy on the recording by the public of the police in action. There seems to be uncertainty among the police themselves on the law about this.

Recently, three people were detained by police for using their handphones to film a police raid of a music gig at a record store in Georgetown, Penang.

The police said it was illegal to do such recording of them. Thankfully, we have some lawyers who disagree. They say that there is no law forbidding the public from recording a police raid in progress.

The government recently announced that millions had been approved to buy body cameras for police officers. What is the purpose of these cameras if they are not to record the police in action? Selfies?

Ultimately, it is all about transparency. And clarity in communication. And overcoming inertia.

Current law minister Azalina Othman Said seems to be one minister not beset by inertia. Her actions and announcements on the Sulu claimants and the Luxembourg results have been exemplary. People need to know.

In fact, clear communication seems to be her forte. On the issue of dress code, it has been reported that Azalina had clarified in 2015 that there was no dress code for the public when dealing with government departments and agencies.

Perhaps the police did not get the memo.

Be that as it may, until the IGP clarifies to us all about the dress code for entry to police stations, I’m keeping a sarong in my car. Just in case. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.