Superintendent Laila Ali

International Islamic Police Women’s Conference

held

October 21 to 15, 2007

at the

Serena Hotel

Kabul, Afghanistan

Introduction

The advancement of women at the workplace is necessarily a very complex issue. It is related to cultural values, religious beliefs, traditional mindsets and numerous other factors that tend to be reflected in policies and regulations as outlined by government. The more pluralistic the nation, the more divergent the viewpoints and starting points from which any progress can be made. In many senses, a woman’s career decisions, unlike those of a man, do not rest solely on her. Because of her familial obligations, a woman is often unable to commit 100% to her career.

2.         In Malaysia, its police organization, The Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) took in about 15% of policewomen from about 90,000 personnel. Till to date, there are very few policewomen holding high positions in the RMP.  Nonetheless, we already have five one-star general policewomen in the RMP.

Policewomen’s Roles in the RMP

3.         Formerly, there were three categories of police intake in the RMP; namely the Constables (junior police officers), and the Inspectors and the Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (C/ASP) (senior police officers). Since the year 2007, the intake of C/ASP was dropped. There are no specific selection criteria used by the RMP to recruit policewomen.  The policewomen and the policemen are treated the same during the selection process where they have to undergo physical test, aptitude test (only for officers) and the interview. They even undergo the same basic police training program at the local police training institution. 

4.         As such, the roles of the policewomen are no different from the policemen as stipulated under Section 3(3) of the Police Act, 1967; where the functions of the police force (RMP) are (1) To keep the law and public order; (2) To maintain the peace and security of the country; (3) To prevent and trace crime; (4) To apprehend and prosecute the offender; and (5) to collect security intelligence. During the probationary period, after training, like their male counterparts, the policewomen officers have to do the crime investigation job, administration and court prosecution. Meanwhile the policewomen constables have to do the beat and patrol job, enquiry office job and also as the guard on duty. The policewomen are also transferred to various departments of the RMP to do the same jobs as their male counterparts as stipulated under Section 3(3) of the Police Act, 1967.        

Working Experience
- The Religious and Counseling Division of RMP

3.         The Religious and Counseling Division of RMP or what we call in Malaysia as the Bahagian Agama dan Kaunseling (BAKA) of the RMP was recently formed in July 2007, with the objectives:-

3.1       To form an effective leadership and professional, dedicated and discreet RMP citizen who uphold the principles of Islam Hadhari.

3.2       To ensure that the RMP citizen could enhance their productivity by fully utilizing their self potentials positively and proactively through Islamic, moral and counseling approaches.

3.3       To strengthen the level of self-discipline through good and excellent work ethics.

3.4       To enhance all aspects of self and career development of the RMP citizen toward more positive thinking, professional and quality work productivity.

3.5       To identify the current issues and challenges with regard to professionalism in the religious and counseling aspects.

4.         The functions of BAKA amongst others are:-

4.1       To provide dakwah, family development, welfare and community programs and also the management of mosque/surau for police citizen.

4.2       To manage and supervise those under supervision in a more responsible manner and to be concerned with their welfare and problems.

4.3       To identify the police citizen and their family who have the potential and the possibility of having problems.

1. To respond to the needs of women and children of the RMP citizen.  This can be done through the Police Family Association or Persatuan Keluarga Polis (PERKEP) of the RMP.

Policing Programs for Women and Families

 5.         Policing programs for women and families includes:

5.1       Parenting Skills

            Workshops on skills for parents to bring up their children.
Lectures on the rights of women.
Lectures on religious knowledge.
Counseling service for family.

5.2       Crime Prevention Program

Lectures to students on crime prevention.

5.3       Motivation Program

Yearly program for students seating for the national/government examination.

5.4       Career Guidance Program

            Yearly program for school leaving students.

Conclusion

6.         Policewomen do play important roles in the police organization. Our concern is that many women who have the potential of being the best man for the job are not being given the right environment to realize this potential.  When that happens, not only do these high-potential women lose out, but so does the entire nation. Other than that, one of the most difficult issues is the pressure of balancing the demands of work and home.