Airport police status upgraded

TANGERANG: Jakarta police officially upgraded the status of its station at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Monday from a subprecinct to a precinct police station, due to security concerns.

Officiating at the ceremony, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanegara said the status elevation was part of police efforts to step up security measures at one of the country's main entry points.

"We shall deploy personnel who are well qualified, especially those who are fluent in English," he said, adding that police personnel at the new precinct would be increased from 64 to 400.

Heading the new precinct is Adj. Sr. Comr. Firmansyah Santyabudi, son of the former vice president, Try Sutrisno. Former chief of the subprecinct, Comr. Sri Suari, has been appointed deputy chief.

The call to raise the police station's status was made after a bomb exploded at domestic arrivals Gate F on April 27. The airport serves an average of 750,000 passengers per month. -- JP