Feisal demands more from police force

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)