©Malay Mail (Used by permission)
By Jasmine Andria
PETALING JAYA, Feb 4 — Closed–circuit television cameras with enhanced facilities are being deployed at 58 police lock–ups nationwide in a move to prevent deaths in custody, which have plagued the force over the years.
Bukit Aman management director Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah said the cameras will also help alert officers about suicides and fights among detainees.
He said detainees wil be monitored around the clock for their own safety and to watch their behaviour patterns.
He said the RM1 million self–monitoring analytics reporting technology (Smart) lock–up system will be implemented in the 646 other lock–ups nationwide in phases.
Launching it yesterday at the Jinjang lock–up facilitity, he said the 15–month pilot project had proven successful in better monitoring detainees in custody.
The system uses intelligent surveillance cameras equipped with advanced features that monitor detainees.
A collaborative effort between the police and Mimos Berhad, it is the first of its kind in Asia Pacific.
“The Jinjang facility can be used as a model. Mimos will monitor the effectiveness of the system and improve it over time.’
On privacy among detainees, he said police had engaged with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) on the matter.
“Areas such as the washroom will be blocked off but if detainees have been inside for a long time, the system will detect it and alert those on duty. The camera will then film the inside of the washroom.’
He said Suhakam will also ensure detainees are not mistreated by officers.