The Integrity of the Royal Malaysian Police: A Thematic Analysis

Abstract

Integrity is crucial in enforcement agencies, especially the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP), to ensure accountability in accordance with the law, free of misbehaviour or corruption. People have recently expressed frustration over the rise in police wrongdoing, which is concerning given several high-profile examples in the country. As a result, the objective of this study is to reveal the level of public trust in RMP’s integrity and why this scenario still never-ending stories. This study uses qualitative methodologies, specifically thematic analysis, to delve deeper into the perspectives of individuals and practitioners. The results of the study are as expected, which is that the people are highly upset and disturbed about the increasing number of misconduct instances among police officers. However, a few informants report that the degree of integrity in RMP is still under control, with only a few examples of wrongdoing in Malaysia. Nonetheless, the findings of this study can serve as a precedent for RMP to be more transparent and fairer in its investigation of members in inquiry. Measures to improve human resource management, such as self-reinforcement training, a more appropriate wage system, and the addition of adequate workers, can help to prevent RMP misconduct and promote public trust. Researchers can expand future studies by using a variety of approaches and involving informants from various Malaysian enforcement authorities.