'We are professional' - cops share experience juggling core tasks and MCO duties

 

The Covid-19 pandemic and movement control order (MCO) have forced many people to get used to the new norm. For the police, juggling between core duties and manning roadblocks in line with the MCO are part of their adaptation to the situation. 

On top of that, they are involved in regular patrolling to ensure that the public adheres to the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

For Tan Chiang Fook, who has been on Covid-19 operation duty since MCO 1.0 in March last year, reminding the public to follow the SOP for MCO 2.0 is almost an uphill task.

"Almost a year has passed since the first MCO. In the beginning, everyone obeyed the SOP, but at a certain point during MCO 2.0, they took it easy.

"Maybe they are fed up (with SOP), but they have to follow. They must understand that the SOP the government imposed is not for fun," Tan said when met at a roadblock at Wangsa Melawati on Tuesday.

Occasionally, the passers-by greeted the team as a way to show their appreciation to the frontliners who have to be on the ground, rain or shine.

Tan is attached to the Kuala Lumpur contingent police headquarters under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) monitoring and investigating gangsterism in the city.

Understanding the background of the people he speaks to is vital in two-way communication.

"I understand many people are struggling financially. If they breach the SOPs and get fined for RM1,000, that would just further burden them.

"When I visited hawkers, for instance, while patrolling, I listened to their problems. Many had actually just lost their jobs, so I understand their struggles.

"But at the same time, I remind them to always adhere to the SOP. Everyone has to be constantly reminded," Tan added.

For Shogi Arumugam, he has to juggle between investigating narcotics crime cases and manning the roadblock. He is attached to the Wangsa Maju District police headquarters under the Narcotics Department.

"The court is now open, so we're getting busy. Even during the MCO, we still arrest and investigate drug offenders," he said.

Last month, all criminal trial cases were postponed due to the MCO.

During the interview, Shogi was on the morning shift from 7am to 3pm. Other shifts are 3pm-11pm and 11pm-7am. He would be on the 3pm shift at the same roadblock the following day.

Asked if he is exhausted, Shogi said: "I am used to it.. it's my duty. I don't have much time with family but they understand my work as a frontliner," he said.

250 summonses in Wangsa Maju since start of MCO 2.0 

According to Wangsa Maju District police chief Rajab Ahad Ismail, since MCO 2.0 began, the police had issued 250 summonses in the district.

"On Monday alone, the police issued 34 summonses. The summonses would increase during the holiday as many people go out," he told Malaysiakini.

Rajab said for those who clearly breached the SOP, the police have no choice but to impose fines on them.

The obvious offence, he said, is not checking in with the MySejahtera application when entering premises.

"Clearly, that is an offence. Then, there were people who jot wrong details in the manual book," he added.

Rajab stressed that the police don't purposely go out to slap the public with summonses.

"We are professional. If the public do not wear face masks properly, we will advise them, except in obvious cases where one does not wear a face mask on public transport or in a market, then we have no choice but to issue a summons.

"We don't want to be seen as not upholding the law. Everyone has to follow the SOP, even the police. We all have our responsibility," he said.

During the interview, Rajab joined his men inspecting vehicles passing by and occasionally asked where the drivers were going.

"It's a weekday. People are busy running errands. We don't want to cause traffic jams by stopping every car that passes by but for obvious cases such as driving with more than two people in a vehicle, we will check," he said.

The SOP for MCO 2.0 allows only two people in a vehicle but the police will use their discretion for certain unavoidable cases, such as parents sending their children to kindergarten.

For the record, MCO 2.0 which was supposed to be lifted yesterday (Feb 2), but has been extended until Feb 18.

In the Wangsa Maju District, the roadblock along Jalan 2/27A was static, but Rajab said two other roadblocks change locations every day. It's an improvement from MCO 1.0, he added.

"Hopefully, this will reduce the number of people going out aimlessly." - Mkini

✍ Credit given to the original owner of this post : ☕ Malaysians Must Know the TRUTH

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