City detectives get new badges

JAKARTA (JP): City detectives are being issued with new chrome yellow plated badges, one of several by-products of the recent investigation of the triple murder in Los Angeles.

The idea of having the badge came from head of the City Crime Investigation Directorate Col. Nurfauzi soon after he received a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) badge from detective Ted Ball, who was here recently for further investigation of the triple murder.

However, the badge used by the local police here is slightly smaller than those used by the LAPD officers because most Indonesians have smaller hands than Americans, said businessman Andy Siskandar of CV Dwi Permai, who was assigned to design and make the badge.

City Police spokesman Lt. Col. Bambang Haryoko said yesterday that the badge is only to be issued to detectives with a minimum rank of assistant to First Lieutenant.

"Except when undercover, detectives have to show their badges," he said. "A badge and a warrant is only needed in certain instances, such as seizing evidence," Bambang added.

The badge has the logo of the city police with the word Reserse (Detective) on the top and the unit's emblem at the bottom.

On the lower part of the badge there is the identity number of the holder.

"The number is also meant to help people identify the badge holder," Bambang said.

According to Andy, detectives from South Sumatra, Riau and Nusa Tenggara also have an interest in using similar badges.

Andy said that his company will produce the badge, sold at Rp 75,000 (US$33.50), only after he has a formal order statement issued by the local police chief. (bsr)