Gen. Dibyo slams 'extortionist' slur agains officers

JAKARTA (JP): National Police Chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo criticized yesterday the public's poor support of the force and constant slating of his officers as extortionists.

Dibyo defended his subordinates against public dissatisfaction with their performance and level of service.

"It's unfair to blame everything on police officers. People always accuse officers of extortion, but they hardly say anything about the corruption perpetrated by other people," Dibyo said.

The bribes received by officers "are far smaller than those received by other corrupt people", he said.

"So why do the public have to label police officers as 'extortionists'?"

None of his officers would take anything from the public unless it was offered to them, Dibyo said after attending the 42nd anniversary of the National Traffic Police.

Most people here think money is the only key to deal with the police, particularly the traffic police.

Some even blame corrupt traffic officers for the growing number of road crashes and instances of reckless driving.

But Dibyo strongly denied the accusation.

"It's very difficult being police officers because it seems that we never do anything right," he said.

If the police wanted to improve their public image by giving leeway to unqualified driving license applicants, the public would say that the police were not selective.

But if officers were to tighten the procedure to obtain driving licenses the public would say that it was just one of their maneuvers to collect more illegal fees, he said.

Dibyo criticized the public for not helping the police improve their level of service.

"In many cases, improvements in the police's image does not solely depend on the officers themselves. They need the public's support."

He gave as an example the 1992 Traffic Law Number 14. Dibyo said that many people were still unaware of the existence of the law and the importance of having such a law to maintain order on the streets.

"This law is not only a police matter, it's important for all of us. Officers could never apply the law if people do not support it," he said.

The law stipulates what punishments should be given for different traffic violations.

But Dibyo admitted that the traffic police should work harder to improve their service and performance levels.

"We realize that there are still many things which need to be improved. For instance, we lack well-trained personnel."

Of the country's 19,000 traffic police, only 45 percent have been trained in traffic matters, he said.

Moreover, a lack of finance means traffic officers are not properly equipped.

They, for instance, do not possess speed guns so are unable to ticket speeding motorists, and also cannot check vehicles' emission levels.

"But we pledge to keep trying to give our best to improve ourselves and our service to the people," Dibyo said.

He also vowed to continue punishing undisciplined traffic officers.

"A lot of traffic officers have been punished. For example we've just sanctioned at least five officers of the Rapid Reaction Unit just two weeks ago," he said.

Dibyo emphasized that he would not tolerate officers violating regulations.

"If they don't want to be a good officer, then they should resign because there are many people who want to fill their shoes." (cst)