Police reshuffle to 'promote meritocracy'<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The National Police have announced the largest-ever reshuffle
\nunder chief Gen. Sutanto, which an analyst claims kick-starts a
\nnew paradigm that will promote meritocracy.<\/p>\n
In a telegram dated Dec. 9, made public on Saturday, Sutanto
\nappointed 13 new regional police chiefs, of whom eight will get a
\npromotion in rank.<\/p>\n
Also promoted was Bali Police chief Insp. Gen. Made Mangku
\nPastika, who will become the operational chief of the National
\nNarcotics Agency, a post left vacant by Sutanto following his
\nappointment as National Police chief in July. Sr. Comr. Indradi
\nTanoes, who recently led the raid on the world's third largest
\necstasy plant in Serang, Banten, also won a promotion as the head
\nof the drug squad at the National Police Detective Directorate.<\/p>\n
Yusuf Rizal of the People's Information Center (Lira) said the
\nmajor reshuffle marked an end to the old career planning system
\nwithin the police that took into account seniority and personal
\nties.<\/p>\n
\"It seems that Sutanto has chosen officers with capability and
\ncapacity for the new posts, instead of seniority. This should set
\na precedent that selection of leaders will be conducted based on
\nmeasurable criteria,\" said Yusuf.<\/p>\n
He said the reshuffle should also facilitate investigations
\ninto officers implicated in cases of abuse of power.<\/p>\n
Yusuf was referring to South Sulawesi Police chief Insp. Gen.
\nSaleh Saaf, who will hold a new post as National Police chief
\nexpert staff.<\/p>\n
A non-governmental organization has reported Saleh Saaf to the
\nCorruption Eradication Commission in connection with a graft case
\nin the police communications network project that caused Rp 600
\nbillion in state losses. Saleh denied the allegations, saying the
\nproject involved the government, not the police.<\/p>\n
\"To some extent the latest reshuffle has something to do with
\ncases that have tarnished the police's image. Investigation into
\nofficers implicated in abuse of power cases will be effective
\nafter they no longer hold strategic posts,\" Yusuf said.<\/p>\n
National Police recently dismissed Bogor Police chief Sr.
\nComr. Tjiptono for alleged sexual harassment, three months after
\nhis predecessor Sr. Comr. Bambang Wasgito was also demoted for
\nhis alleged role in an assault on a subordinate officer.<\/p>\n
National Police general supervision head Comr. Gen. Binarto
\nhad earlier resigned after an East Java water police officer
\nconceded to having released a vessel believed to have been
\ncarrying smuggled fuel following the intervention of the senior
\nofficer.<\/p>\n
\"In the future, punishment for police officers must be double
\nthe penalty for ordinary people, because they are supposed to be
\nenforcing the law,\" Yusuf said.<\/p>\n
He said appointment of officers with relatively good track
\nrecords for key posts should continue.<\/p>\n
\"Sutanto won't be able to bring reform to the police all of
\nsudden, but he will make all police personnel adjust themselves
\nto the new paradigm,\" Yusuf said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/police-reshuffle-to-promote-meritocracy-1447893297",
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