BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

AS THE country’s front line of security, the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) needs to win the people’s trust distance itself away from negative elements that would that affect its credibility.

Addressing 70 RBPF recruits at the Police Training Centre in Gadong yesterday, the Permanent Secretary (Corporate Affairs and Public Administration) at the Prime Minister’s Office Hj Yahya Hj Idris said, “Incompetence, corruption, abuse of authority and selfish behaviour must be avoided because these negative elements will affect the reliability and credibility of RBPF.”

He advised the new recruits not to take the career in law enforcement for granted and to heed His Majesty’s call to develop RBPF into become a uniformed organisation that exudes strength in discipline and integrity empowered with honesty and sincerity.

“A country will only reach excellence if the working citizens highly appreciate the value of integrity. It is not much use if the working community is materialistically wealthy but bankrupt in terms of integrity and noble values,” he said.

“This responsibility (of being an enforcer) is entrusted to you by Allah (SWT), our monarch and the country. Your parents and families also have high hopes for you – hence do not breach this trust and let their hopes down,” he said.

“To me, it is important for every RBPF personnel, regardless of their ranks, to always be friendly, caring to the public and enforce the rule of law without favouritism – all members are responsible for safeguarding and promoting the image of the police force.” He also encouraged the police force to “move forward”, explore new methods that are creative and innovative and drive RBPF’s capabilities, so it does not fall behind other countries.

“My hope is that you do not see this career as a policeman merely as a stepping stone and carry out your duties in a perfunctory manner – police should be agents of change.

“I view the police force as a fortress whose walls are resolute, shielding those who reside behind the walls from aggression and threats from criminals,” he said.

“But if the wall is weak then it will be easily invaded and in that situation, every threat can simply barge in. What is most dangerous is if the wall falls over then all the hopes that the people had of the RBPF of being their protector will be buried.”

The Brunei Times