Sunday March 25, 2007

IGP proposes better deal for cops

By LOURDES CHARLES

KUALA LUMPUR: The police want 20% more in basic salary than any government servants so that more and better-qualified people will be keen to join the force, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said.

Towards a better future: IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan hopes to raise the profile of the police force by having betterqualified personnel. – ABDUL RAHMAN SENIN / The Star

He said a new and better scheme of service was needed as the force was undergoing a massive restructuring exercise.

“This must be done if we want to reduce corruption and also to reach out and provide better delivery to the public.

“The restructuring exercise will also see the deployment of additional manpower and logistic support to highly populated and crime-prone districts in the country,” he told The Star in a special interview in conjunction with the 200th year celebration of the police force today.

He added that he had submitted the proposal to the Public Service Department.

The current salary of a police constable is RM690 while the starting pay for an officer with the rank of inspector is RM1,100.

Musa said the other major aspect of the restructuring, aimed at developing a competent and committed force with integrity, involved the intake of recruits, especially for the post of Inspectors and for the rank-and-file.

He said that, previously, diploma holders could apply for the post of Inspectors. Now, they would only be taken in as Sergeants.

Previously, degree holders could join as cadet Assistant Superintendents (ASP) but since the abolishment of the cadet ASP rank, degree holders would now only be eligible to apply for the post of Inspectors.

Musa said the force needed young sergeants who could keep up with the times and would get opportunities to be assistant investigation officers before moving up the ranks.

“We have also decided to do away with interview-based promotions and will replace it with performance-based promotions.

“The force needs people who can lead, people who know the job, people who have the experience and who are academically qualified. There is no point in promoting someone who is just academically qualified but has no experience and no leadership qualities,” he said.

Musa also said the Cabinet had approved the recruitment of 60,000 personnel and the intake exercise was in progress.

Useful Link:
Royal Malaysian Police

More News