One of our main priorities is to win back the support and confidence of our communities, says Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew.
Mr. Fong Chew made this statement following public concern over the high number of police officers involved in criminal activities, which has undermined the police force’s credibility.
He emphasized that officers caught committing crimes are dealt with in a transparent manner.
“We recognize that a significant part of achieving this is by improving service delivery and ensuring professionalism in our duties,” he said.
“We are very open about how we handle officers involved in criminal activities. When an official complaint is filed against an officer, our Internal Affairs Unit reviews the conduct, and the Criminal Investigation Department takes over if there’s a criminal element.
“Due processes are followed, and independent legal advice is sought from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
“We are transparent about these matters, and our monthly crime statistics report includes the number of police officers charged with various offences, aside from the releases from the ODPP.
“We are also reviewing our internal policies to address the issue of police officers involved in drug-related activities, as we are committed to maintaining the integrity of the policing profession.”
He added that improving service delivery to the public is also a priority.
“Apart from dealing with officers involved in criminal activities, we are actively working on service delivery and ensuring we cover the basics correctly.
“We acknowledge that complaints often arise due to lack of feedback, mishandling of complaints, and response times. We are focusing on training more of our middle managers and supervisors and holding officers accountable for their actions.
“I want to reassure the public that we are committed to improving service delivery and upholding the integrity of policing.”