Eight cops discharged

BANDUNG: West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Adang Daradjatun dishonorably discharged eight noncommissioned officers on Monday for theft, drug abuse and desertion.

"This is our way to achieve police professionalism. We can't tolerate any errant police officers if we are to regain the people's trust," he told journalists after a ceremony at the provincial police headquarters to mark the men's dismissal.

Only four of the officers attended the ceremony. The rest remain at large.

During the ceremony first sgt. Edi Indra Pulga from Bandung precinct, second sgt. Indra Sukoco, chief pvt. Syarif Hidayat and first pvt. Yudi Guntara, all from the provincial headquarters, had their insignia and uniforms taken away.

The officers convicted of desertion are first chief pvt. Saliman and second chief pvt. Kardito from Karawang precinct, sgt. maj. AA Supriatin from the regional office and second chief pvt. Dadang Kusnadi from Banten precinct.

The four deserters will stand trial at a military tribunal. (25/bby)