Officer Sofyan's death<\/p>\n
In the early morning hours of Tuesday, Sofyan, a 21-year-old
\npolice sergeant, met with an unusual death. While he was driving
\nin the Pondok Kopi area, East Jakarta, he was approached by two
\nplain clothes policemen. An argument ensued, then a shot was
\nheard and Sofyan fell to the ground, dead.<\/p>\n
Later in the day, Jakarta's police chief issued a statement to
\nthe press, saying that Sofyan was a phony policeman who was
\nsuspected of frequently extorting people in the area. He was shot
\nwhile resisting arrest, the police chief said.<\/p>\n
At this point, however, a controversy arose. His family felt
\nthere was something odd in the situation. Sofyan was alleged to
\nbe a phony police officer and a suspected extortionist. An
\nautopsy on his body was not allowed and the family was barred
\nfrom making statements to the press.<\/p>\n
Sofyan's family demanded a formal clarification from the
\npolice. Fortunately, the police admitted that Sofyan had indeed
\nbeen a police officer and not a phony one. Whether he had been
\nguilty of extortion, only further investigations will prove.<\/p>\n
This case reminds us of a warning given by the chief of police
\nsome time ago, that police would shoot any criminal resisting
\narrest. Sofyan San's case may or may not have anything to do with
\nthe warning. Nevertheless, there is a rising fear that our police
\nofficers will become "Dirty Harrys" -- after the film hero who
\nhates criminals so much that he will not hesitate to execute any
\nsuspected crook.<\/p>\n
We accept that firm measures must be taken against criminals.
\nThere is, however, one condition that must be fulfilled: There
\nmust be legitimate proof that such measures are warranted.
\nSofyan's case, however, also demonstrates that only a very thin
\nline separates what is allowed from what is not.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/officer-sofyans-death-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }