KAJANG, June 29 — Three patrol policemen were subjected to two hours of “foot drills” — non-stop marching and running — after Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar caught them conducting unauthorised checks on foreign workers on Tuesday.

Khalid was driving at the roundabout near Eco World at about 4.30pm when he saw the policemen questioning a woman by the roadside.

He pulled up in front of their patrol car and asked them whether they were instructed to conduct such inspections.

“The police personnel were checking the woman’s identity when they saw a four-wheel vehicle drive pull up next to their patrol car before realising it was Khalid himself,” said a police source. 

“One of them, a corporal, admitted they did not have instructions and understood they were not allowed to conduct such checks.

“Khalid advised them not to simply check on immigrants and to continue their usual patrols.”

The IGP then contacted the Semenyih police station deputy chief for clarification and was informed there was no instruction to carry out such an operation.

The source said the trio, who included a lance corporal and a constable aged between 25 and 36, were directed to return to the station to provide an explanation.

“They claimed they had seen three men and two women, suspected to be foreigners, while doing rounds in the area and decided to question them. Four of them fled the scene on seeing them,” the cource said.

Malay Mail learned that personnel on crime prevention patrols are not allowed to conduct checks on illegal immigrants without clearance from their district police chief.

They are only allowed to conduct inspections if the individual is involved in criminal activities or seen breaking the law.

Khalid then ordered the trio punished for going against the rules.

They were assigned to desk duties for a month and to undergo foot drills from 11am to 1pm at the Semenyih police station yesterday.

“It was to teach them a lesson as such actions could taint the reputation of the police force,” the source said.

Resource : The Malay Mail Online