A routine arrest at a Metro Prima clinic in Kepong took a horrifying turn when a police corporal had part of his ear bitten off during what should have been a standard apprehension procedure. The incident, which occurred on Friday morning, has shocked local law enforcement officials.
According to Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa, officers were initially called to the clinic at approximately 10:03 am following reports of a disturbance. What happened next would leave one officer permanently disfigured and raise serious questions about arrest procedures.
The incident began when clinic staff reported a 38-year-old Nigerian man causing a disturbance at the healthcare facility. Responding officers from Kepong police station quickly detained the individual, and a corporal was assigned to transport the suspect to Sentul district police headquarters.
“While escorting the suspect to the back seat of the patrol car, the suspect, with his hands cuffed behind, suddenly acted aggressively and refused to cooperate,” explained Chief Rusdi in his official statement. What followed was a moment of unexpected violence that left the officer seriously injured.
Despite being handcuffed, the suspect managed to bite the officer’s left ear with such force that a portion of it was completely severed. The attack happened so quickly that fellow officers had little time to intervene before the damage was done.
Following the attack, the injured corporal was rushed to Kuala Lumpur Hospital where medical professionals immediately began treatment for his traumatic ear injury. While authorities have not released specific details about the officer’s condition, injuries of this nature often require specialized reconstructive procedures.
This incident highlights the unpredictable dangers faced by law enforcement personnel, even during what appear to be routine assignments. Police officers regularly encounter individuals in distress or those who may behave erratically, placing them at risk of sudden violence.
The suspect now faces serious legal repercussions for the attack. According to Chief Rusdi, the case is being investigated under multiple statutes, including Section 325/353 of the Penal Code, which pertains to voluntarily causing grievous hurt and assault on a public servant.
Additionally, authorities are pursuing charges under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, suggesting there may be questions regarding the suspect’s legal status in Malaysia.
This disturbing incident raises important questions about officer safety protocols during arrests, particularly when dealing with individuals who are exhibiting aggressive behavior. While handcuffing is a standard procedure intended to secure suspects, this case demonstrates how determined individuals can still inflict serious harm.
Local police departments may need to review their training and equipment to better protect officers during transport and processing of combative individuals. The use of additional restraints, partner systems, or modified transport vehicles could potentially prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials across Malaysia will likely be watching closely to determine what lessons can be learned from this shocking incident. For the injured officer, however, the physical and emotional recovery process has only just begun.