Gen. Dibyo slams 'extortionist' slur agains officers

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)