Maluku Police Confirm Expedited Dishonourable Discharge for Brimob Officer Who Assaulted Minor

Ambon (ANTARA) - Maluku Regional Police (Polda Maluku) have confirmed they are expediting the process of imposing a dishonourable discharge (PTDH) on a Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officer with the initials MS, who is accused of assaulting a minor, resulting in the child’s death.

“The ethics hearing is scheduled for Monday at 14:00 Eastern Indonesian Time (WIT), with the target sanction being a Dishonourable Discharge (PTDH), processed swiftly and transparently,” said Maluku Police Chief Inspector General Dadang Hartanto in Ambon on Sunday.

The police chief expressed deep concern and condolences to the victim’s family. He affirmed that since the day of the incident, law enforcement and code of ethics proceedings had been carried out decisively.

“We are deeply concerned about this incident and extend our condolences to the victim’s family. The legal process and code of ethics proceedings are being conducted transparently and firmly,” he said.

He explained that the victim’s family was scheduled to arrive from Tual at approximately 12:00 WIT before attending the ethics hearing at the regional police headquarters. The family would first visit a hospital to check on a family member of the victim who had sustained injuries. Meanwhile, other family members could follow the proceedings via online or video conferencing facilities.

According to him, the code of ethics hearing would be conducted in accordance with Professional and Security (Propam) regulations. Parts of the process may be open to the public, though certain stages would be held behind closed doors to examine the facts of the case in depth. The hearing’s outcome would nevertheless be announced publicly.

The police chief stressed that the ethics process and criminal proceedings run separately. The code of ethics hearing is being held at Maluku Regional Police headquarters, whilst the criminal investigation is being handled by Tual District Police, as the majority of witnesses are located in that area.

To expedite the legal process, Maluku Regional Police have coordinated with the prosecution service. The police chief said he had communicated with the Deputy Head of the High Prosecution Office and public prosecutors to oversee the acceleration of case file preparation.

“I have directed investigators and the district police chief to expedite the case files. Our target is to hand the files over to prosecutors for review by Tuesday or Wednesday,” he added.

Once deemed complete, the case will be promptly transferred to court for trial. He emphasised that acts of violence by officers cannot be tolerated and will be dealt with without discrimination.

“Even though he is one of our own, he will still be processed according to the law. There is zero tolerance,” he asserted.

The police chief also reminded all personnel to prioritise professionalism and a humanistic approach in serving the public.

“Serving the community must come from the heart. Our primary duty is to protect lives, physical wellbeing, property, and human rights. That is what I always emphasise to all members,” he said.

Previously, according to the police’s chronology of events, the incident began when a Brimob patrol was conducting a security operation using a tactical vehicle in Tual City and Southeast Maluku Regency in the early hours of Thursday (19 February 2026).

The patrol was initially stationed at the Mangga Dua Complex in Langgur until approximately 02:00 WIT, before moving to Fiditan Village in Tual City after receiving a report from residents regarding an alleged assault near the Tete Pancing area.

Upon arriving at the location, the suspect and several officers dismounted from the vehicle to secure the area. Approximately ten minutes later, two motorcycles were travelling at high speed from the direction of Ngadi towards Tete Pancing. The suspect reportedly swung a tactical helmet as a signal. However, the helmet struck the right temple of the victim, identified as AT (14), causing the victim to fall from the motorcycle face down.

The victim was rushed to Karel Sadsuitubun Regional General Hospital in Langgur for medical treatment. However, at 13:00 WIT, the victim was pronounced dead.

Following the incident, the victim’s family went to the Brimob headquarters in Tual to demand justice. The police responded by immediately detaining Private First Class MS on the same day.