East Nusa Tenggara Police Chief Opens Happy Home Centre
The Police Chief of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Inspector General Rudi Darmoko, acknowledged that some of his officers still engage in misconduct whilst on duty. He attributed this to internal personal problems amongst personnel, such as mental health disturbances.
“We from the Happy Home can certainly help because we are confident that many Polri members have internal problems. So I am not hiding the fact that many officers still engage in misconduct and do not perform their duties properly,” Rudi stated during the inauguration of the Happy Home at NTT Regional Police Headquarters on Thursday, 12 March 2026.
Rudi explained that the Happy Home facility serves as a resource for handling, mentoring, and providing counselling services for victims of Violence Against Women and Children (VAwC) and Human Trafficking Prevention (HTP). This includes services for police personnel and the general public.
According to Rudi, it is not certain that every police officer is honest, clean, and free of internal problems when receiving five police reports daily. As a leader, Rudi stated that he must not only enforce regulations but also understand the root causes of problems.
“That is what I face whilst leading here. I want to end this so we can provide good services to the community. We want to meet the expectations of NTT residents,” explained Rudi.
Rudi stated that if the mental health of police officers is maintained, then service to the community will improve and the potential for misconduct can be minimised.
The Happy Home is not merely a physical building, but a symbol of hope for those facing various life problems. According to him, the Happy Home was created as a place where sadness can transform into new hope.
“This house is not just a building, but a symbol that the NTT Police Regional Command wants to embrace those who are hurting and help them recover,” said Rudi.
The Happy Home programme results from collaboration between NTT Regional Police Command and the Family Mental Health Foundation. Rudi revealed that this collaboration began with various mental health trainings and therapies provided to police officers.
From this programme, it was found that many police members face psychological pressure whilst performing their duties. Through mental therapy and support, several officers demonstrated positive changes in behaviour and performance.
“I am confident that if police officers’ mental health is good and they have resolved their internal problems, then they will perform their duties well, not harm the community, and will not engage in misconduct,” said Rudi.
The Chair of the Board of Directors of the Kemala Bhayangkari Foundation for NTT, Vily Rudi Darmoko, explained that establishing the Happy Home is also part of supporting the National Police Chief’s programme to strengthen protection for women and children and vulnerable groups.
She stated that the Happy Home will be managed by the Psychology Division of the Human Resources Bureau of NTT Regional Police in collaboration with psychologists, healthcare professionals, and mental health practitioners who have received specialised training.
“The Happy Home is a safe place for police officers and the community to receive counselling and mental health therapy. In addition, it also serves as a trauma recovery centre for victims of violence against women and children and victims of human trafficking crimes,” explained Vily.
The issues to be addressed at the Happy Home include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, trauma from sexual violence, relationship conflict, emotional wounds, and various psychological problems experienced by women, men, and children.