KOTA SAMARAHAN: A low-ranking policeman was caught red-handed yesterday not only for skipping work but also impersonating a senior police officer.
The case came to light when a police team was conducting crime prevention patrols when they spotted the suspect and another acting suspiciously inside a car near a building in an area in the district.
District police chief Deputy Superintendent Jaimi Husin said during the inspection, the suspect introduced himself as a senior police officer, wearing a police vest with the rank of Inspector and a pistol holster at his waist.
"After further questioning, the suspect claimed to be working in the Bukit Aman Special Branch Unit and was conducting intelligence gatherings at the location.
"When asked for his police authority card to verify his identity, the suspect said he had left it at home and only provided his civilian identification card.
"Upon checking the civilian identification card, it displayed a police RF (identification) number," Jaimi, in a statement today, said.
He added that the suspect when pressed further, admitted that he is a low-ranking policeman who is on leave for two weeks.
"Checks were conducted with the police station where the suspect was stationed and we were informed that he had been absent from duty since March," he added.
The suspect, his friend, the car, the vest as well as pistol holder were taken to the Kota Samarahan district police headquarters for further action.