New Penang police chief Comm Datuk Dennis Lim Kwang Keng says police personnel must never turn the public away from stations, regardless of how they are dressed.
The 58-year-old from Muar, Johor, said individuals in distress must be allowed to lodge reports, especially during emergencies involving road accidents or threats to life.
“If people come to a police station for help, we must assist them. There should be no rejection based on how they are dressed, their ethnic background or any other factor when they are facing an emergency,” he told reporters at his first media meeting at the Penang Senior Police Officers’ Mess in Jalan Lahat.
Comm Lim took over as state police chief from Comm Datuk Azizee Ismail, who has retired. He has served in the force for 32 years, including 30 years in the Criminal Investigation Department.
Under his leadership, he plans to optimise the use of information technology and artificial intelligence to enhance policing and security operations.
“Cyber threats and crime are increasingly borderless, making technological advancement crucial for the force. We are open to cooperation with corporate bodies and organisations with expertise in AI and technology,” he said.
Comm Lim said Penang remains among the safest states in the country, crediting the public, local authorities and police personnel for maintaining law and order.
Citing the “broken windows theory” from the 1980s, he said neglected surroundings, abandoned buildings, overgrown vegetation and poor lighting could encourage criminal activity.
“When such environmental issues are addressed, areas become safer, and criminals are less likely to operate there,” he said, adding that police would identify crime-prone areas and work with local authorities to improve conditions.
Source: The Star
