New Jakarta Police chief vows to improve police skills

Evi Mariani, Jakarta

Newly installed Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani promised, on his first day in office on Wednesday, that he would improve the skills of police personnel and their working systems.

"Basically, I shall continue things that have already been started," he said, two hours after he received the baton from Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara. "I shall continue to implement the same reward and punishment system."

Firman, who has just relinquished his position at East Java Police Headquarters, explained that he would provide training to enhance the skills of detectives and patrol officers, and of officers in other divisions.

"With regard to working systems, I have told police precincts in five municipalities to submit details of their new or current working systems next week so that we can evaluate them together," he said.

Having a background as a member of the Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob), Firman said he would continue with police reforms in a bid to improve the image of the police. The institution used to be under the control of the Indonesian Military before the issuance of People's Consultative Assembly Decree No. VI/2001.

"I spent 10 years in the Brimob squad and another 20 years as a police officer. I think my operating style is more civilian than militaristic," he said, smiling.

"National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar has asked all police officers to promote our 'serve and protect' image. I shall uphold that mandate," he added.

Despite improvements in human resources and working systems in the police, Firman said he would focus on improving infrastructure such as constructing and revamping buildings and installing state-of-the-art technology for the headquarters.

However, he did not explain how he would finance either program.

"It's important to minimize expenditure," he said.

After speaking to the media, Firman later rushed to his waiting car.

Earlier, Makbul and his wife spent time together with his subordinates in a tearful farewell ceremony. Many police officers could not hold back their tears when shaking hands with Makbul, who had been in post for four years.

Makbul and his wife later rode an andong (carriage) around the headquarters before getting into the car that took them home.

Profile Insp. Gen. Firman Gani Born : Jakarta, Dec. 30, 1952

Education: 1970 - 1974 Police Academy 1983 - 1985 Police Staff College 1992 Air Force Staff and Command School 2002 National Defense Institute

Career (abridged): Commander of Police Mobile Brigade, West Kalimantan Commander of Police Mobile Brigade, South Sulawesi Chief of Majene Police, South Sulawesi Chief of Pangkep Police, South Sulawesi Chief of Boyolali Police, Central Java Vice Presidential Guard for B.J. Habibie Presidential Guard for B.J. Habibie Commander of National Police Mobile Brigade Chief of Maluku Police Chief of South Sulawesi Police Chief of East Java Police

Source: East Java Police