Policewomen celebrate their 50th anniversary<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's policewomen, who account for 3.44
\npercent of the police force's 197,400 members, celebrated their
\n50th anniversary at National Police Headquarters in a modest way
\non Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The ceremony, led by National Police Chief Lt. Gen.
\nRoesmanhadi, was highlighted by several activities, including a
\nparade and a series of demonstrations of special skills by female
\nofficers.<\/p>\n
The anniversary commemorated the first admission of six women
\nto the National Police force at the Sumatra Police Institute in
\nBukittinggi on Sept. 1, 1948.<\/p>\n
The six female cadets, later known as the founders of the
\npolicewomen's corps, were later in charge of solving problems
\ninvolving children and women.<\/p>\n
Only two of the six founders are still living. They are Col.
\n(ret.) Djasmaniar Husein and Col. (ret.) Rosnalia Taher.<\/p>\n
Today, Indonesia has a total of 6,790 female police officers.
\nTwenty-five percent of them hold ranks ranging from major to
\nbrigadier general, with the remaining 75 percent ranging from
\nsergeants to captains.<\/p>\n
A total of 3,064 female officers are currently assigned to
\noperational sections, with the remaining 3,726 working in other
\nservices.<\/p>\n
\"We hope to see the number of female officers in the national
\nforce increase to 9,851 personnel, or about 5 percent of the
\ntotal force by next year,\" the three-star general said.<\/p>\n
Several policewomen contacted by The Jakarta Post expressed
\noptimism over policewomen's tasks.<\/p>\n
\"We exist because people need our services. As women, we are
\nborn to be more sensitive, caring and compassionate to others.<\/p>\n
\"It helps us carry out our duties as law enforcers. We can
\nlead people to obey regulations, but in a kind of persuasive
\nway,\" Col. Erda Latuasan Tarigan, personnel assistant to the
\nnational police chief, said.<\/p>\n
She said that in order for policewomen to stay charming yet
\nstern, they still received a Rp 20,000 monthly allowance to help
\nbuy cosmetics, lipstick and other needs.<\/p>\n
\"This allowance has been provided since 1972. Thank God,
\ndespite the crisis, we are still given the allowance so we can
\nlook pretty,\" the 52-year-old officer said.<\/p>\n
The head of the National Police policewomen division, Lt. Col.
\nWahyu Widiarti, said the amount was actually very small compared
\nto policewomen's personal needs, especially because of the
\nskyrocketing prices of cosmetics during the crisis.<\/p>\n
\"But luckily we have also been issued undergarments. Twice a
\nyear, we are issued nightgowns, bras and underwear. All we have
\nto do is to submit our sizes,\" Wahyu said.<\/p>\n
\"We are also issued three pairs of shoes, boots with semi-high
\nhills and high hills, and two kinds of handbags. Well, policemen
\nget less things than us,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Policewomen are also allowed to grow nails. \"But they can be
\nno longer than three millimeters and hair length must be two
\ncentimeters above the collar,\" she said.<\/p>\n
\"Well, the most important thing for policewomen to do is to
\nkeep on smiling and be charming with people despite the crisis,\"
\nWahyu said. (edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/policewomen-celebrate-their-50th-anniversary-1447893297",
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