Thursday July 12, 2012

Monitoring pupils’ activities

By MOHD FARHAAN SHAH
farhaan@thestar.com.my
Photo by ABDUL RAHMAN EMBONG

JOHOR BARU: The police, education department and other relevant authorities will work closely to monitor the increase in schoolchildren’s involvement in criminal activities.

Johor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said police are worried over the number of crime cases involving schoolchildren.

“Recently, the police conducted a raid at an illegal gambling den in Larkin where 30 people were arrested.

Disciplined: DCP Mokhtar placing a badge during the closing ceremony of the national police cadet corps camp held at Tasek Utara in Johor Baru on July 6.

“We are concerned that half of those arrested were children aged below 12 years.

“There is also an increase in pupils being involved in crimes such as robbery and theft,” he said.

In order to tackle these issues, DCP Mokhtar said the police would establish closer working relationships with schools, the education department, local authorities, and other relevant agencies.

He added that such ties would enable the police to make their presence felt in schools where pupils would not dare to be involved in such unhealthy activities.

“If the schools have some disciplinary problems, they are encouraged to contact the police.

“Both sides could work together and find a solution,” he said.

DCP Mokhtar said this after attending the closing ceremony of the national police cadet corps camp held here last week.

He encouraged pupils to be involved in curriculum activities in schools such as becoming a member of the police cadet.

He also added that joining the cadet would instill a sense of discipline among the pupils and encourage them to become the eyes and ears of the force before joining the police in the future.

“The number of pupils joining the police cadet has increased over the years. Throughout the country, there are more than 114,489 cadets from 1,896 schools where 30% of them are non-Malays.

“This is a very good sign as the police cadet attracts many school pupils no matter their race.

“I encourage more pupils to join us,” he said.