KUALA LUMPUR: The time for warnings has passed; police personnel who break the law will face serious consequences, says Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.
He said that his personnel had received multiple warnings in the past, yet some had failed to heed them.
"No more warnings from us. Actions speak louder than words. If we find any of our personnel engaging in misconduct, we will take decisive action using every available law," he told the New Straits Times today.
Razarudin was referring to a recent case in which four police officers were arrested for allegedly stealing jewellery from a deceased woman.
"While investigations are ongoing, the Integrity and Standards Compliance Department (JIPS) is also reviewing their track records. We want to understand their actions leading up to this incident," he said.
Meanwhile, City police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said that the investigation paper (IP) had been submitted to the deputy public prosecutor, and they are awaiting further instructions.
"The four personnel were released on police bail after their remand ended on Nov 2. The investigation has concluded, and the IP has been referred to the deputy public prosecutor," he said.
It was previously reported that the officers were arrested in Setapak in connection with a jewellery theft case reported by a local man.
Initially classified as an inquiry paper (KEP), the case was reclassified under Section 379 of the Penal Code following additional information.
The four arrested officers, ranging in rank from Constable to Corporal and aged between 28 and 35, were remanded for three days until Nov 2.
Syazwan Abdullah, 59, claimed that the jewellery worn by his daughter when she was found dead in a car at a condominium in Setapak on Oct 1 has since gone missing.
He was informed by his daughter's landlord about the discovery of her body early that morning.
According to reports, she was found by patrolling officers who noticed her Proton Saga parked with the engine running and the lights on.
After his daughter was buried in Banting, Selangor, Syazwan felt compelled to search for the chain, locket, and bracelet that had been gifted to her by family members.
He was informed by both the hospital and the police that she was not wearing any jewellery when found.
After searching her rental home without success, he contacted the fire department, which broke a window to access the locked vehicle.
On the day of the incident, the fire department took photos before and after breaking the window.
Syazwan said that these images showed his daughter wearing the jewellery, but the photos provided by the police later indicated that the chain and bracelet were missing.
As a former senior police officer, he expressed disappointment at what he perceived as a lack of cooperation from the investigating officer in the case.