‘Actions speak louder than words’ is an age-old adage that any credible government needs to practise.

The former Badawi government promised a better police force after the Royal Commission into the Police but it was an empty promise. The latest incident of criminal conduct by police against an innocent Malaysian is further proof.

Several scandals after the Royal Commission makes Malaysians wonder if they have more to fear from criminals or the police. In the wake of the latest incident, the government for its own sake must act. The public is outraged, even intimidated.

A frame-maker Chia Buang Hing held in a police lock-up for five days, assaulted and robbed of a huge sum of money, apparently over a minor traffic infringement is the latest scandal. Allegations the police then conspired against their victim are disturbing and will affect public trust in the police.

The crime is doubly serious because the culprits are policemen. How this can happen is beyond comprehension.

If we expect citizens to be law-abiding policemen should lead by example.

The public can no longer feel safe with each new scandal. This latest incident has hammered another nail in the coffin of police credibility. While the call for the establishment of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) is revived, the government has the more urgent task of getting to the bottom of the Chia Buang Hing incident by demanding a thorough internal investigation by the police and a further independent inquiry.

All this should not take long and the facts can be quickly established. When wrongdoing is not quickly punished others will be emboldened to repeat the crime. While we don’t want a trial by media, the reported facts raise worrying questions.

Why would the police need to detain someone whose road tax has expired?

Instead of enhanced police standards Malaysians only see deteriorating standards. Deaths in custody cases and the shooting of a schoolboy by police all add to the fear that the police are getting out of hand.

Who will be the next police victim? Who will restore police standards and allay public fears?

The government ultimately must take full responsibility and provide urgent leadership. While the Royal Commission reported endemic police corruption and recommended the establishment of the IPCMC, nothing was done. The sores fester and there are more police victims.

The obvious culture of police brutality needs to be purged from the police force. Proper procedures and a stringent enforcement of internal discipline and protection for whistleblowers are overdue.

If someone of Anwar Ibrahim’s stature can be beaten by a former top cop, what chance do ordinary Malaysians have without proper safeguards against errant police officers?

The police have the wrong idea that their uniform entitles them to do anything they like. The more rotten apples flaunt rules. I have seen VIP police escorts cause traffic accidents.

Until the police are taught to perform their duties within the rule of law more Malaysians will suffer. Does the government care?

There must be zero tolerance of police misconduct and bad policing so that the entire force is not tarnished. Surely there must be some good cops left to rein in the rogues in their rank and file. The black sheep must be treated like common criminals.

Making an example of rogue policemen is not only an act of justice but an indispensable act to salvage the tarnished police image and the government’s own reputation.

Acts of violence against the public give meaning to accusations of the country becoming a police state and the most effective remedy is expeditious punishment of those culpable proving the government has a zero tolerance policy.