Edict: Why the reluctance to charge police in court?

Beyond its focus on the involvement of authorities that led to deaths in custody cases, rights group Eliminating Deaths And Abuse In Custody Together (Edict) has questioned an alleged reluctance to charge police personnel in court for other crimes.

In a statement, Edict cited a March 3 report that revealed that an officer at a district police station was among 31 personnel transferred over suspected involvement in Macau Scam and online gambling syndicates.

"Edict would like to question, why weren't all these suspects, who are police personnel, taken to court and charged like other ordinary civilians?

"Are there different treatments for civilians and police personnel who commit a crime?" the group asked.

The group also said Article 8(1) of the Federal Constitution guarantees every person is equal before the law and so even a high ranking police officer must be subjected to the same legal procedures in court.

Bukit Aman Department of Integrity and Compliance Standards (JIPS) director Zamri Yahya last week reportedly said all 31 were transferred pending a decision on their punishment to be determined by the Police Force Commission (SPP).

Previously, Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said the officers and personnel involved would face dismissal, demotion and salary deductions, these being among the punishments that SPP could impose on them.

Meanwhile, Edict also reiterated its call for the setting up of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), as originally proposed in 2005, and with no proposed amendments, after the government decided to postpone its tabling in Parliament last August.