When all else fails, perhaps try a softer approach. This saying holds true especially for our country’s traffic police team as an all-woman enforcement team had just been introduced.
First reported by The Star Online, the new team, comprising of 6 officers, is called “Traffic Women Estimable Enforcement Team” aka Tweet, and it’s the first all-woman traffic patrol team in the country. According to PJ Traffic Police chief Deputy Supt Mohamad Roy Suhaimi Sarif, having an all-female team may improve situations at roadblocks psychologically.
He was quoted as saying:
We have had complaints that perhaps male officers were too aggressive or intimidated motorists while some motorists refused to cooperate, even when officers just wanted to give them a warning, rather than a summons. They reacted defensively or tried to instigate officers. This doesn’t lead to very professional enforcement. The women officers can appear less aggressive and easier for motorists to work with.
As such, DSP Mohamad Roy said that hopefully with the softer approach, motorists would respond better to their officers. However, one male officer would be stationed with the women on their rounds in case motorists turn aggressive.
Insp Hariati Hamdan, who leads the team of 6, said the plan with Tweet seemed to be working thus far. “Some motorists were surprised that we were all women. However, they seemed more open to admit their offences and talk with us,” she said while manning a roadblock along Persiaran Tropicana yesterday.
To be perfectly honest, most Malaysian drivers would’ve once or twice come across seemingly rude and aggressive male officers at late night road blocks. Or broad daylight road blocks, even. So perhaps, like DSP Mohamad Roy suggests, this would help motorists be less defensive when they come face-to-face with a female officer. Of course, this also opens up opportunities for female officers who find themselves stuck with administrative work and don’t get the chance to be out in the field.
Source: The Star Online.
