Bad guys beware – Speedy response under RM100 million police system

THE high-tech C4i is installed almost in all patrol cars in the Klang Valley, but hardly anyone knows much about the RM100 million system. It is a tool to enhance the police delivery service and combat crime in faster response time. This system will be available nationwide by 2011. Malay Mail crime reporter TEOH EL SEN takes a ride with the crew from Dang Wangi police district headquarters.

THE echo of wailing sirens and the flashing blue lights dancing all around were no mistake that I was in a police car.

And before the loudspeaker came on and 24-year-old L/Cpl Constans anak David Sengkar spoke into it: "Please make way in the middle lane, please make way, sir."

I was almost flying off my seat at the back as the white Proton Waja with the blue and yellow paint job zoomed forward at topspeed; weaving its way past traffic in crowded Puduraya.

My heart was beating fast and I thought: So this is how it feels to be a cop chasing the bad guys, huh?

The rush while you are trying your best to be the first to reach the person in need or the sense of responsibility that what you are about to do could stop a crime or save a life. I guess only a cop would know those things.

The expert driver, a veteran who's been with the force for 25 years, Cpl Zainal Nazri Ahmad Rafie, 45, spoke through the walkie talkie as he stopped the car: "We've reached Maybank Bukit Bintang, awaiting further orders."

We are there to check out a report that there is an unidentified group in the vicinity.

I was with Malay Mail cameraman Gan Jin Liang to experience, first hand, a real patrol car situation plus a demonstration of an emergency response with the C4i system.

Now, Constans was speaking to a few youngsters loitering near the bank, asking them for their identification.

Suddenly, a problem. "The servers are down for now. Normally if it's all right, it's all right," Constans told me, apologetically. However, there is backup and they could still check the remaining MyKad manually through radioing the Contingent Control Centre and it was done. The boys were clean.

As we circled the city again and returned to base, I suddenly recalled something a senior police officer told me recently: "Technology has helped police a lot and the C4i has allowed us to respond and check on our suspects so much faster. But at the end of the day, it's the person who uses the equipment that makes the difference."

Cop cars... transform

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