Police form rapid reaction sleuth team<\/p>\n
By K. Basrie<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Despite a lack of funds and personnel, city
\npolice are still committed to providing better services to the
\npublic.<\/p>\n
The establishment of a special team of talented detectives,
\nknown as rapid reaction unit or Unit Reaksi Cepat could be cited
\nas an example.<\/p>\n
Presently, the team has 28 well-trained officers, consisting
\nof four lieutenants and 24 sergeants from the crime investigation
\ndirectorate.<\/p>\n
They are divided into four groups. Each group is provided with
\na Mazda VanTrend station wagon supplied with portable steps,
\nextra-large axe, pliers, megaphone, public-address system, map,
\nwalkie-talkie, medical kit, fire extinguisher, generator, police
\nline, a bag of standard identification items, camera and rope.<\/p>\n
Another vehicle for the crime lab team is available to support
\nthe unit.<\/p>\n
Sixteen motorcycles are also ready to back them up, especially
\nduring peak hours when most streets are heavily congested.<\/p>\n
Assigned only for extreme emergencies, the unit is on-alert 24
\nhour a day.<\/p>\n
\"They are supposed to be the first officers to arrive at the
\nscene of a crime. They must prohibit anyone from disturbing the
\nsite until investigation and medical treatment are completed,\"
\nthe team supervisor, Lt. Col Edi Darnadi, said.<\/p>\n
Each detective, most of whom are uniformed, are equipped with
\nguns, batons, handcuffs and radio beepers.<\/p>\n
The well-equipped officers patrol areas considered crime
\ninfested.<\/p>\n
Maj. Gen. Dibyo Widodo supervises the special budget set aside
\nfor the unit's daily operational costs, including meal allowances
\nfor the personnel.<\/p>\n
Eight police precincts under the auspice of Greater Jakarta
\nPolice have set up similar teams to support the unit.<\/p>\n
Police departments in other provinces may follow Jakarta in
\ntheir efforts to reduce crime in their areas.<\/p>\n
\"We simply want to do our best for the public so that they
\nwill feel secure,\" City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Dibyo Widodo told
\nThe Jakarta Post recently. He is the man behind the founding of
\nthe team.<\/p>\n
The team, officially set up on Nov. 1, has proved their
\nprofessionalism in a recent cases, including the solving of a
\nrape and murder case in a hotel in Central Jakarta and the murder
\nof Rohadi's family in East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
These cases were handled more professionally than those of
\nlast year's when there was substantial weaknesses in detectives'
\ninitial handling of the scene of crime.<\/p>\n
Among last year's unsolved cases is the death of a six-year-
\nold girl, Levina Dwisy, whose body was found in Ancol dreamland,
\nNorth Jakarta in March.<\/p>\n
The main problem was that the scene of crime had been
\nimproperly handled and the scientific evidence was destroyed.<\/p>\n
Lt. Col Edi Darnadi said the professional treatment of
\nevidence at crime scenes helps scientific investigations.<\/p>\n
The team, which was established also to improve the police's
\nimage with the public, is expected to be helpful to the Greater
\nJakarta Metropolitan police in solving as many crimes as soon as
\npossible.<\/p>\n
\"People who need help can dial 390 2222 and ask for radio
\nbeeper 17000,\" Edi said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/police-form-rapid-reaction-sleuth-team-1447893297",
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