The national crime index rate has improved, with the police succeeding in dropping it by up to 7.5 percent last year, in comparison to the initial targeted number of cases for the year.

In a statement, Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador (above) said police reduced the number of cases to 249 cases for every 100,000 population.

“All through 2019, the police performed admirably, and among them, the Criminal Investigation Department reduced the crime index rate to 249 cases compared to the targetted 269 cases for every 100,000 people, which is a reduction of up to 7.5 percent,” he said.

This is also an improvement of the crime index for 2017 and 2018, which was reportedly 309.7 and 273.8 respectively.

Abdul Hamid said other departments also showed admirable performances last year, including narcotics, commercial crimes and traffic.

The police chief informed that up to 268 police officers were nabbed under Ops Blue Devil last year for drug-related offences. Nine officers have so far been nabbed this year, up to Jan 17, after failing initial drug tests.

“It is hoped the drug issue in the force can be fully clipped for the sake of this esteemed institution’s dignity,” he said.

The Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department also “made history” with mega-scaled seizures including the Sept 10 Ops Eagle seizure of 12 tonnes of cocaine, with a street-value of RM2.4 billion, in Penang.

The department also set in motion up to nine special operations and other programmes to “stay relevant” in fighting the war on drugs.

“For the Commercial Crime Investigation Department, up to 17,582 operations were carried out and (police) succeeded in arresting 15,876 suspects... 21,016 investigation papers were completed out of the 26,465 being handled,” he said.

This indicated a 79 percent completion rate for cases by the department, he added.

The Traffic Investigations and Enforcement Department, meanwhile, saw 1,665 joint operations conducted, 73.3 percent more operations than in 2018.

“Of the overall 101,404 operations, 3,086 suspects were arrested for various traffic offences and 269 for other offences,” the statement read.

This, Abdul Hamid said, includes police settling cases which have gone viral online, including cases of road bullying, road rage, drunk driving and driving under the influence.

On a lighter note, the police chief also boasted that the force has contributed to the country outside of police work, namely in sports.

Last year, 24 officers were selected for the national contingent in the 30th Sea Games and succeeded in bringing home five gold medals.