Experts dissatisfied with police internal reform
Experts dissatisfied with police internal reform
Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Despite its achievements in the fight against terrorism, the
National Police remain unable to meet its internal reform demand
of providing security and public services, experts concluded on
Wednesday.
The reform movement, they said, has not helped the National
Police improve its poor image.
In a national seminar hosted by the Indonesian Institute of
Sciences (LIPI) and the National Police, most speakers hailed the
police's achievements, but criticized the lack of change in the
behavior of officers.
"Unfortunately, police reform has not lived up to
expectations," LIPI researcher Indria Samego said.
Indria said people could see the institutional and structural
reforms contained in the law on the National Police, which is now
being deliberated, and the restructuring now taking place within
the police organization.
However, Indria said, people need more. They want to see the
police change its behavior in order to repair its tarnishing
image.
He added that it was difficult to imagine the police reforming
its culture while other law enforcement institutions, including
judges and prosecutors, continued with their "dirty" behavior.
"It won't do any good if the police try to become angels while
other law enforcers maintain their ties with evil," he said.
Political analyst Syamsuddin Haris said that to restore its
image and improve its professionalism, the police should be fair
in handling all cases, while at the same time building a synergy
with the Indonesian Military and governments officials.
Earlier, keynote speaker National Police chief Gen. Da'i
Bachtiar said he wanted to turn the police into a force that
served and protected the people.
Da'i said that ideally there should be one police officer for
every 300 residents, but currently there was only one for every
1,000 in the country.
In the meantime, instead of expanding the number of personnel,
the police were prioritizing enhancing their mobilization and
communication, he said.
He said he was pleased by the police's institutional and
structural reform, but admitted that a lot of work needed to be
done.
The seminar on Wednesday also was attended by Taufik Abdullah,
Harkristuti Harkrisnowo, Ichlasul Amal, Tjuk Sugiarso, Indria
Samego, Tubagus Rono Nitibaskara, Syamsuddin Haris, Reydonny Zar
Moenek, J. Kristiadi and Ansyaad Mbai, as well as numerous senior
police officers.
Police reform has been going on for five years, during which
time the experts noted that the police had achieved major
accomplishments, including its handling of the Bali bombings, the
murder of the director of Asaba and the armed robbery that
claimed the life of the wife of the finance ministry secretary-
general.