Alternative thinking about police reporting<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A criminologist, a legislator and an observer
\nwere of different opinions on Thursday about the most suitable
\nchain of command for the National Police even though the People's
\nConsultative Assembly has stated in a decree that the force is
\nresponsible to the President.<\/p>\n
Contacted separately on the sidelines of a seminar on police
\nleadership, the sources recommended institutions such as the
\nMinistry of Home Affairs or the Supreme Court to supervise the
\nforce.<\/p>\n
In order for the police to fulfill its responsibilities free
\nof any political influences, they should be under the
\ncoordination of the Ministry of Home Affairs, said M.T. Arifin,
\nan observer of police and military issues.<\/p>\n
"Based on the new ruling (Decree No. VII\/2000), the police
\nforce is prone to be exploited as a tool of the president or be
\ninfluenced by political parties since the appointment of the
\nNational Police chief should be made by the president with the
\napproval of the House of Representatives (whose members are
\nelected from political parties)," Arifin said.<\/p>\n
According to him, chiefs of provincial police units should be
\nappointed by heads of the respective administrative provinces
\nand, therefore, under the supervision of the provincial
\nadministration offices.<\/p>\n
Criminologist Erlangga Masdiana from the University of
\nIndonesia opposed Arifin's idea saying that the Assembly's decree
\nis sufficient.<\/p>\n
"Politicking can happen anywhere, that is why the appointment
\nof the National Police chief by the President should have
\napproval from the legislature," Erlangga said.<\/p>\n
He did agree with Arifin that local police chiefs should be
\nunder local authorities for better coordination as repeatedly
\nproposed by many governors.<\/p>\n
"But in the future, we should consider placing the police
\nunder the Supreme Court because the police function is part of
\nthe law enforcement," Erlangga said.<\/p>\n
Legislator Ferry Mursydan Baldan from Golkar Party said he was
\nagainst the idea to place the local police force under the
\nsupervision of the provincial governors.<\/p>\n
"It would be prone to misuse by the executives," said the
\ndeputy chairman of Commission II on law and home affairs.<\/p>\n
The police force, on the other hand, seems to be satisfied
\nwith its current position as stipulated in the Assembly's Decree
\nas it puts the force in a position similar to the Cabinet
\nministers which means that police have more authority and freedom
\nwith its operations.<\/p>\n
"The best position for the police is at a similar level with
\nministers (in the Cabinet) and responsible directly to the
\nPresident," National Police Spokesman Brig. Gen. Saleh Saaf said
\non Thursday.<\/p>\n
"Under the current command structure, we have ample freedom to
\nenhance our professionalism and pursue our programs," he added.<\/p>\n
Although it did not mean that the President could control or
\nuse the police as a means of power, because the police will only
\nobey the law, not an individual.<\/p>\n
"In our investigation process, nobody has the right to
\ninterfere as we are independent in organization, administration
\nand operation," said Saleh, who has received his first general's
\nstar. (dja)<\/p>",
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