Jakarta Police urged to continue improving
Jakarta Police urged to continue improving
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has called on the Jakarta
Police to keep improving performance and professionalism despite
its lack of personnel, funds and facilities.
The city police "must also be aware of the increasing demands
and problems which could hinder its future," Soeharto said in his
speech read by National Police Chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo at the
Jakarta Police's 48th Anniversary at the Senayan sports ground
Saturday.
The President also said the effects of massive development and
the rapid influence from abroad through the globalization of
information could result in increased crime in society.
In his written speech, Soeharto praised the Jakarta Police for
their devotion and loyalty to the country and nation during the
past 48 years.
"The Jakarta Police play a very important role as the law
enforcers and guards of the people. They have maintained security
and order in the city," Soeharto said.
The Jakarta Police celebrated its anniversary for the first
time Saturday under the initiative of its chief, Maj. Gen. Hamami
Nata, a former adjutant to the President.
Speaking with reporters, Dibyo admitted that one of the
problems which has obstructed the Jakarta Police from doing its
best to serve the people was the lack of personnel.
He said the ratio of police officers to people in Greater
Jakarta -- with an estimated population of about 13 million --
was still unsatisfactory.
"The United Nations sets a ratio of one police officer to 350
people. We here in the capital have a ratio of one to 1,010."
He said it was not easy to increase the number of personnel
for various reasons, including funds and facilities.
The police plan to increase the number of personnel nationwide
to 195,000 by 1999. Currently, the number of personnel is
185,000.
Jakarta Police are expected to move into a new building on the
same site by 1999 but the two-year construction project should
have started several months ago.
Dibyo declined to comment on the development plan. "Sure,
we'll get a new building," he said.
Saturday's anniversary included parades of the Jakarta
Police's personnel from all units, including the detectives and
bomb squads, and an exhibition of parachuting and paragliding.
(cst)