IPCMC will not affect powers of police integrity department

The establishment of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) will not affect the role of the Integrity and Standards Compliance Department (Jips) of the police.

Enforcement Integrity Agency Commission (EIAC) CEO Mohamad Onn Abd Aziz said the IPCMC played the role of controlling the discipline of police personnel by considering reports of misconduct.

He said the EIAC, which would be replaced by the IPCMC later, would have wide experience in differentiating the complaints received as to whether they were genuine or merely slander.

"We won’t take over (the role of Jips), but are merely easing their role, and the police can concentrate on policing activities.

"The IPCMC will not take over the powers of the police as they have the power of confirmation and appointment,” he told Bernama today.

Onn also assured that there would not be any suppression in the decision-making of police personnel involved in any misconduct, and would consider statements from the parties concerned.

He added that the formation of the IPCMC was intended to boost the integrity and ability of members of the police, and change public perception of the force.

He said the IPCMC would govern and monitor the approximately 130,000 members of the force nationwide.

A total of 2,419 complaints of police misconduct were received since 2011, Onn noted, with 727 investigation papers being opened.

The IPCMC bill was tabled for the first time in the Dewan Rakyat on July 18 and will be tabled for second reading in October.

- Bernama