by N Sarangabani
Aliran Monthly Vol 25 (2005): Issue 3

	For their own good and to maintain the friendly image of the police, the police must take every precaution in their own interest and that of the community they serve. N Sarangabani

Acting on some false information - probably provided by someone harbouring a grudge against my family - that my family was involved in illegal activities, the police from the Penang Narcotics division on 11 March 2005 raided my house at about 2.45 a.m. We were woken up from our sleep, and when the door was opened the police barged into our house. Our privacy was not respected and we were humilated by the police action.

The police told me that if I had drugs I should surrender it; otherwise, if the drugs were to be found then my entire family would be arrested. I told them that I was not involved in any illegal activity.

The police then throughly searched our house and our car. In the process, things were strewn all over the place, and they made a mess of our house. But in the end they did not find any drugs.

They did not apologise for their mistake; they did not say sorry for the inconvenience we suffered; they were not bothered about the embarrassement they caused us.

I am not sure whether this raid on my house at that unearthly hour was legally carried out. They did not show me any warrant of search.

I am a disabled government pensioner and my wife is doing business. My three daughters are well established and drawing good salaries. Our total household income is more than adequate to provide us with all that is necessary for a comfortable life.

With this kind of economic background, is it reasonable even to suspect - without any valid reason - that we were involved in an illegal activity?

As a matter of principle, is it not reasonable to expect the police to have done some good homework and prior investigation to confirm any suspicion they may have had before raiding our house and, in the process, shaming us in our neighbourhood?

For their own good and to maintain the friendly image of the police, the police must take every precaution in their own interest and that of the community they serve. They must at all times project a professional image of themselves. Otherwise their image will be tarnished and their reputation will be damaged.

They should not be uncaring and unprofessional in their conduct whenever they receive information alleging criminal activity. There are unscrupulous people who, out of revenge or jealousy, can provide false information to put people they may not like into trouble. This possibility must be taken into consideration very seriously.

We have resided in our present place for nine years. We have a very cordial and friendly relationship with our neighbours and enjoy a good standing with them. But all this has been dashed by the unprofessional raid on our house. We have been humilated without reasonable cause. We have suffered the trauma of this shame and our reputation has been injured irreparably. We have suffered a great injustice.

The police have not shown any remorse so far. In fact, when I took up this matter with the Inspector, he told me I could report it to whoever I liked. In whatever way one views this response, the conclusion is the same: sheer arrogance!

How to I remove the shame and suspicion associated with my family? How do we clear our name?

Shouldn�t the police take an active part to clear our name? After all they created this situation! Isn�t it their duty to rectify the situation?

Is a written apology too much to expect from the police?

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