Feisal demands more from police force

JAKARTA (JP): The National Police force marked its 49th anniversary with an impressive show of force yesterday, but Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung demanded more from them in terms of professionalism and in providing public services.

"We have to honestly admit that there are still a bunch of weaknesses and shortcomings in both development and operational matters (of the police)," Feisal said in a written speech read at the anniversary ceremony.

The force has not been optimal in public services, according to the speech read by National Police Chief Gen. Banurusman Astrosemitro.

He cited urban traffic problems, riots, and resolving criminal cases among the areas where police work could still be improved.

"Police work could be said to be successful if the people enjoy peace and tranquility, if they are free of fear and apprehension about threats to their activities and their lives in an environment of law and order," Feisal said.

The anniversary ceremony at the football field in front of the National Police Headquarters was attended by dozens of active and retired police generals and officers.

Viewed by hundreds of spectators, the ceremony presented a parade of the various police force's branches, its equipment and weaponry.

Criticism against the National Police force always comes each year when it marks its anniversary.

The National Police, one of the four services in the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI), is regarded as the spearhead of the nation's security and order because its 180,000 members are stationed among the community.

Police chiefs and critics acknowledged that the size of the force is barely adequate for policing a nation of more than 190 million people.

Gen. Banurusman accepted the criticism from ABRI chief yesterday gallantly, telling reporters after the ceremony that, "We feel our shortcomings, especially if we have to compare the lofty public demand with the existing services we provide."

He pledged that, even with the limited size and equipment, his force would continue to strive to attain greater professionalism and give better services to the public.

Feisal in his speech warned that the police's tasks would get tougher and more complicated in the future for several reasons, including the globalization process and the increasing public demand for better security and services.

Rapid development in science and technology would also lead to new and often more sophisticated types of crimes, he said.

He also urged the force to watch out for crimes against the state.

Meanwhile, Satjipto Rahardjo, a law expert and a member of the National Commission on Human Rights, yesterday said that Indonesia should begin rethinking the concept of overall police work.

Satjipto told reporters after attending a similar anniversary ceremony in Semarang, Central Java, that the old principle that policing is the monopoly of the state could no longer be sustained.

Times are changing, and unless their jobs were redefined, the National Police force could find itself overcome with new tasks, he said.

He noted that at international seminars he had attended, the idea of redefining police work is gaining more and more support worldwide.

"Essentially, the idea calls for more 'protagonistic' policing rather than 'antagonistic' policing," he said.

The idea has already been developed in some countries through such concepts as community police, police accountability and police friends of youths, he added.

The idea would call for a major departure from the traditional "authoritarian" policing to one that truly serves the public, he said.

He noted that the ideal is already embodied in the National Police symbol Tri Brata. "Now it's just a question of implementing this ideal in accordance with the spirit of the times." (har/bsr)