Police to set up unit to investigate deaths in custody

The police will set up a special unit to investigate cases of death involving detainees, Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin said today.

He said it would be known as the Criminal Investigation Unit on Deaths in Custody and staffed by 12 police personnel and a civilian staff member.

“This unit will begin operations on Jan 1 next year, headed by a police superintendent. Beginning this date, all deaths involving detainees will be handled by this unit,” he told a news conference after the launching ceremony for the Home Minister 100 Days Keluarga Malaysia Aspiration at the Kuala Lumpur Police Training Centre in Kuala Lumpur today.

The unit, which will come under the Integrity and Standards Compliance Department, will focus on the aspects of criminal liability, duty of care and compliance with SOPs, he said.

Hamzah added that the setting up of this unit would improve the image and integrity of the police force.