Airport police chief fired for extortion

TANGERANG (JP): The Soekarno-Hatta International Airport police subprecinct chief has been fired for allegedly extorting money from two foreign passengers suspected to be smugglers, raising the number of senior officer dismissals in Tangerang to three over the last two years.

Capt. T. Silitonga, who had recently been assigned to hold the position a few months ago, was believed to have violated police regulations when dealing with the two suspects.

During the investigation, the two suspects said that Silitonga had beaten and forced them to give him a certain amount of money to drop their smuggling case.

Following the statements, Silitonga was summoned by the city police internal affairs office. But before the city police issued the result of the investigation, Silitonga was fired.

Tangerang Police precinct chief, Lt. Col. Aryanto Boedihardjo, installed Capt. Titi Valentine from the East Jakarta Police Precinct to replace Silironga on Wednesday.

Aryanto, however, declined to comment on the case, saying that he had no right to make any statements.

"Just ask the city police chief. We're not supposed to give any information," his subordinates said yesterday.

Last year, two police subprecinct chiefs in the Tangerang area also were dismissed for misconduct.

Serpong Police subprecinct chief, Capt. Unggul, was fired from his position after he was proven guilty of extorting money from a leader in the area's gambling industry, who had been arrested by his officers.

First Lieutenant Chaniago was dismissed because he was believed to have conducted a "principal misdeed" toward the public.

Head of the Tangerang Police detective Capt. Ade Sutiana was dismissed from his post and arrested for alleged negligence over the escape of a former television star Zarina, who was apprehended for allegedly possessing a large number of Ecstasy pills.

City police spokesman, Lt. Col. E. Aritonang, said that such dismissals were common in the police department.

"It's just a matter of rewarding or punishing our officers based on their conduct. If officers show indications of procedural mistakes in their duties, then whoever they are, they will be summoned by police internal affairs for questioning."

Aritonang said officers would have to take responsibility if proven guilty of misconduct.

"Punishments can range from an administrative punishment to dismissal," Aritonang said.

He, however, strongly suggested reporters to wait until the city police internal affairs division issued the results of their investigation on Silitonga.

"The investigation is underway. Just wait," he said. (41/04/cst)