'Police killing highlights unprofessionalism'<\/p>\n
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Thursday's fatal shooting by an officer of the police's
\nparamilitary Mobile Brigade (Brimob), which took the life of
\ninnocent passer-by and wounded three others, shows the police are
\nstill far from being professional, say observers.<\/p>\n
"This shooting simply demonstrates that the police are still
\nfalling far short of the public's expectations," said Erlangga
\nMasdiana, a criminologist at the University of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Professionalism, Erlangga remarked, the need for which had
\nbeen repeatedly emphasized by the police, was only an empty
\nslogan as in many cases police officers were up to their necks in
\ncollusion, corruption and nepotism.<\/p>\n
"We see that it has become the norm that when a police officer
\nis appointed to a senior position, he will only give strategic
\njobs to his close confederates," Erlangga said.<\/p>\n
At the lower level, Erlangga claimed that if one wanted to
\njoin the police as a recruit, Rp 15 million had to be paid to
\nensure acceptance.<\/p>\n
Erlangga was commenting on the shooting incident, which took
\nplace hard on the heels of a bomb attack near National Police
\nHeadquarters that was allegedly committed by a middle-ranking
\nofficer, Adj. Sr. Comr. Anang Sumpena, a member of the police
\nbomb squad.<\/p>\n
Witnesses said that Adj. Brig. Mintori and his unidentified
\ncompanion, both of whom were wearing police uniforms, had
\ndemanded protection money of Rp 50,000 (US$5.60) from a numbers'
\ntout named Risti Eriko, 32. However, as the dealer refused to pay
\nup, Mintori became enraged and shot Risti with his rifle. Risti
\nwas wounded in the leg.<\/p>\n
Upon hearing the sound of gunfire, a mob chased Mintori and
\nhis companion. While making good their escape, Mintori fired into
\nthe crowd at random. Among those hit were Nurhikmah, 20, a
\nresident of Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, who was riding a
\nmotorcycle along with her brother Sanusi. Nurhikmah was rushed to
\nthe Pondok Kopi Islamic Hospital nearby, but she later died.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the National Police Mobile Brigade commander, Insp.
\nGen. SY. Wenas, said Mintori would be dishonorably discharged
\nfrom the force.<\/p>\n
The dismissal ceremony would be held at Brimob headquarters in
\nKelapa Dua, Depok, next Monday morning.<\/p>\n
"He is being questioned at the moment at city police
\nheadquarters. He used an AK 101 rifle. According to the law on
\nthe police force, an officer who has committed crime will be
\ninvestigated and prosecuted," Wenas said as quoted by Detik.com.<\/p>\n
Nurhikmah was buried on Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Sanusi, Nurhikmah's elder brother, demanded that Mintori get
\nthe death penalty.<\/p>\n
"Our family wanted to see this guy face a firing squad,"
\nSanusi said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/police-killing-highlights-unprofessionalism-1447893297",
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