Inspector-General of Police warns pilots against leaving for commercial airlines after costly state-funded training, citing major operational and financial losses for the force.
IPOH: Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail has urged police pilots to remain committed to the force and not leave for commercial airlines after obtaining their licences.
He said such departures have serious operational and financial implications for the Royal Malaysia Police and the country.
“This not only disrupts the force’s operations but is a major loss when return on investment cannot be realised through continued service,” he stated.
Mohd Khalid made the remarks at the Wing Awarding Ceremony and official closing of a Private Pilot’s Licence course at the police Air Operations Force Training Base.
He reminded pilots to appreciate the opportunities provided by the force, which bears substantial costs to train them.
With their new licences, graduates are entrusted with operating police aviation assets worth hundreds of millions of ringgit.
“As such, the safety of lives and assets must be prioritised when handling these aircraft,” Mohd Khalid added.
Air Operations Force commander DCP Datuk Noor Sham Md Jani, also present, said training capacity is being strengthened with plans to extend courses to the Commercial Pilot Licence level.
He said the force is considering enhancements through strategic collaboration with KOP Aviation and Gading Air Services Sdn Bhd.
The focus is on human capital, particularly instructors, and the acquisition of critical training assets.
“This is not only to meet current needs, but also to prepare the training base to stand on its own as a competitive and credible aviation training centre,” Noor Sham said.
The ceremony saw nine senior police officers, including six women, become the first batch of Private Pilot’s Licence (Helicopter) graduates.
The course ran from November last year to November this year, comprising academic modules and flight training using the EC120B helicopter.
