Protect Yourself By Learning How to Identify Police Ranks and Fake Police ID
With all the recent roadblock issue happens in our countries. You might sometimes wonder if suddenly you were being questioned by some police officer even if you are very sure that you have nothing illegal or wrong doing. Here are some steps you can do as a public citizen.
1. You can take note of uninformed officer name and ID Number of stopped by them
2. If you are stopped by a police officer who are not in uniform, politely ask them for their authority card
If the officer present you a red authority card, it means they have been suspended from the police force, and you don’t have to follow the orders and you can walk right away. As authority card comes in blue for ranked inspected, yellow for officer below rank of inspector and white for reserve officers.
3. You are not required to give out personal information beside your name, IC number and address only and politely reply “Am i under arrest?”
If you are not under arrest, you may walk away or refuse to follow the officer to the police station or anywhere else.
You can also call a nearby Legal Aid Centre (LAC) and inform them that you have been arrested along with details such as the time, place, and reason of the arrest.
The LAC phone numbers are:
- Kuala Lumpur: +603-2691 3005 / 03-2693 2072
- Selangor: +603-5510 7007 / 03-3281 2428
- Negeri Sembilan: +606-6013 844
- Melaka : +606-2845 519 / 06-2864 514
- Johor: +607-2235 698
- Perak: +605-2550 523
- Kedah and Perlis: +604-7333 467
- Kelantan: +604-7448 660
- Pahang: +609-5159 244 / 09-2969 410
- Penang: +604-2617 451/ 04-3108 451
5. Do now allow police officer to put hands into your pockets or bag when conduction a body search without an arrest or warrant.
The Malaysian Bar has explained that police may conduct a body search on you if you are in a location which is being raided, but you should not allow the police officer to put their hands into your pockets or bags themselves. You can volunteer to empty your pockets and bags in their presence instead, so they can see all your belongings.
6. Upon arrest, police are allowed for body search to find an item related to the suspect offense
You have the right to be body search in private and the body searches are required to be carry out with decency and the officer cannot touch your private parts.
7. A woman cannot be searched by a male officer
And lastly, the Full details about Police and Your basic Rights
