Definition of police authority vital

Definition of police authority vital

From Suara Karya

It is unclear when domestic security, which is still unstable, will return to normal. The mass media have often published the wishes of the entire community for the restoration of domestic security.

A recent talk at the Jakarta Media Center on police leadership and civil society also expressed the same wish, namely that the police, who now play a dual role of law enforcers and traffic regulators, clearly make their choice and concentrate only on maintaining security and public order.

Fortunately, the government is proactive in this matter, as can be seen by the intended reorganization of the police, with the promotion of police skills being prioritized. This was made clear in the government's explanation of the 2001 draft state budget that Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri read out in the plenary meeting of the House of Representatives on Oct. 2, 2000.

In this context, it is hoped that the related minister seriously deals with the reorganization of the police, because the police must take on heavy tasks with limited financial resources.

To alleviate the burden of the police, traffic affairs, pursuant to the law on regional autonomy, should be left to regional administrations. Logically, the central government should not deal with traffic affairs. The delegation of authority to regional administrations to handle traffic affairs will mean increased efficiency on the part of the police.

It is all up to the police, however, whether or not they are willing, for the sake of professionalism, to leave traffic affairs to the regional administrations, considering that dealing with traffic affairs has always been a good source of money.

TANTI YUNIARTI

Sukabumi, West Java