Jambi Police Explain Why Officer Convicted of Rape Is Back on Active Duty

The Jambi Regional Police have provided an official explanation regarding the active status of a middle-ranking officer, identified by the initials RC, after he served a sentence for a rape case that has recently drawn public attention. Head of Public Relations for the Jambi Police, Senior Commissioner Erlan Munaji, stated that RC’s return to active service is a legal consequence of the Police Code of Ethics Commission ruling, which has had permanent legal force since 2015. Despite public discussion, the Jambi Police respect and openly accept all public attention, criticism, and aspirations regarding the matter as a form of oversight of the National Police institution. Erlan said that RC is currently serving within the Jambi Police and is assigned to the General Planning and Budget Bureau. Regarding the criminal case that ensnared the individual while serving at the South Kalimantan Police, RC was involved in a criminal act as stipulated in Article 286 of the Criminal Code. In 2008, the Banjarmasin District Court acquitted RC of the charges. However, the Public Prosecutor subsequently filed an appeal to the Supreme Court in 2009. In the cassation ruling, the Supreme Court overturned the first-instance court’s decision and sentenced RC to four years in prison after he was found legally and convincingly guilty. Furthermore, a judicial review request filed by RC in 2010 was rejected by the Supreme Court, making the cassation ruling legally binding. Erlan explained that on 21 July 2022, the South Kalimantan Public Prosecutor sent a letter to the Jambi Police Chief requesting assistance in executing the sentence against RC. The individual subsequently served his sentence at the Jambi Class II Correctional Facility for 1 year and 10 months. Erlan stated that RC is currently on parole based on a 2024 Ministry of Law and Human Rights decree, with a probation period ending on 26 July 2026. Regarding the professional code of ethics for the National Police, the Head of Public Relations explained that a Police Code of Ethics Commission hearing was held for RC in 2015. In its ruling, the violator’s conduct was declared a disgraceful act and a sanction recommendation was given in the form of a demotional transfer for at least one year.