Recently, Penang chief Datuk Khaw Kok Chin received a letter from a group who threatened to harm him and other police personnel if they did not stop taking action against loan sharks.

Whether the threat is from an individual or a criminal syndicate, the authorities must attend to it immedaitely.

The work of law enforcers often comes with great risk, and officers may be injured, assaulted or even killed in the line of duty. In the case involving the Penang state police chief, the letter threatening his personal safety and other officers must therefore be classified as a clear and present danger.

It is imperative that law enforcement officers are trained and equipped with the necessary means to respond effectively to any situation. All serving officers must have continuous training on situational awareness, threat assessment and de-escalation techniques as well as physical and defensive tactics and firearms use.

In recent years, there has been significant progress in developing new equipment and technology specifically for law enforcement. There are new tools for self-defence including sprays and flashlights, body cameras, communication devices and firearms that can allow officers to respond more effectively to dangerous and volatile situations.

Law enforcement agencies must also provide mental health support to their personnel.

Officers who feel supported and valued are more likely to be mentally prepared to handle stressful and dangerous situations. Supervisors must have regular communication with their subordinates to monitor how they are doing.

Creating positive relationships between the community and the police force is another way to protect our law enforcement personnel in the line of duty.

This would allow for better communication and information-sharing with police officers.

When people trust and support their law enforcement officers, they are more likely to work together to solve problems and prevent crime.

If the chief of police in Penang himself and his officers can receive death threats, then the rest of us who regularly voice out irregularities in society are just as vulnerable. We must remind ourselves that law enforcement officers also have families, loved ones and friends just like others in society.

We must therefore appreciate those who put their lives on the line daily to protect both people and property.

Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy
Criminologist
Centre for Policy Research and International Studies
Universiti Sains Malaysia

This article first appeared on TheStar.