KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 2 — Regulations on the police’s use of firearms were adequate to keep officers responsible, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar insisted today.
Commenting on the Court of Appeal ruling that the police were liable for a fatal shooting in Shah Alam six years ago, Khalid said the issue was to ensure that all officers abided by the standard operating procedures (SOP) regarding the firing of weapons.
“No, we need not review the SOP. We already have a proper SOP,” he told reporters at the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters here today.
“It is just that these are not followed by some, so it is they who must be held responsible. Our SOP is proven to be sufficient.”
A three-judge panel at the Court of Appeal had yesterday unanimously ruled that the police are liable for the fatal 2010 shooting of three Malay youths in the Selangor neighbourhood of Glenmarie.
The decision effectively overturned last year’s High Court verdict dismissing a civil suit by the family members of the three boys.
The parents of three Malay youths — Muhammad Shamil Shapiei, 15; Mohd Hairul Nizam Tuah, 20; and Muhamad Hanafi Omar, 22 — had filed a civil suit at the High Court on August 12, 2014 against the police following their death in a shooting on November 13, 2010 in Shah Alam, Selangor.
Those named in the lawsuit are seven police officers, the Shah Alam district police chief, the Selangor police chief, the IGP and the federal government.
The High Court dismissed their claims as no criminal charges were pressed against the police officers involved.
According to previous news reports, police shot dead the three young men after a car chase in the Glenmarie industrial area.
The police had previously said the shooting was in self-defence, claiming the trio attacked first with machetes. According to past reports, the police suspected the three of involvement in a string of police station robberies.
However, the Court of Appeal and the families’ lawyer N. Surendran had reportedly pointed out that the three youths were shot at a 45-degree downward angle and were hit fatally in the face and chest, despite the police’s claim that they had not taken aim when firing the gunshots.
