Nine policemen fired for crimes

Nine policemen fired for crimes

Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post/Makassar

The South Sulawesi Police discharged on Friday nine officers for
committing disciplinary offenses and common crimes as well as
violating their code of ethics.

The nine police officers were proven to have committed
intolerable violations and to have tarnished the image of the
police force, South Sulawesi Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Andi
Nurman Thahir told journalists in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

He said the decision to fire the unscrupulous policemen was
made by South Sulawesi Police chief Insp. Gen. Saleh Saaf in
accordance with existing regulations pertaining to the police
force.

"They were not simply discharged, but had gone through the
required process. They had previously faced hearings before a
disciplinary committee which found them guilty," added Nurman.

The nine were all low-ranking officers. They were Faizal and
Irvan Hamid -- both chief brigadiers; Nur Hasyim, Zaenal and
Petrus Senel -- all first brigadiers; Indra Hendra, Abdul Rahman
and Baperson -- all second brigadiers; and Brig. Mile.

Irvan Hamid and Baperson were found guilty of theft and murder
while Zaenal and Indra Hendra were involved in drug related
crimes, Nurman said.

Four others, Mile, Abdul Rahman, Petrus Senel and Faizal were
discharged for desertion as they left their duty for a month
without notifying their superiors or providing valid excuses.

Another policeman, Nur Hasyim, was discharged for assaulting a
student at the Indonesian Muslim University in Makassar in May.

Besides being discharged from the force, several of them were
also taken to the Makassar District Court to face trial on
charges of common crimes.

"Those involved in common and drug related crimes will face
harsher punishment than the general public because policemen are
the protectors of the people who should set a good example for
the public," said Nurman.

He said the nine officers should have been discharged during a
ceremony to commemorate the Pancasila Sanctity Day at the South
Sulawesi Police Headquarters on Friday.

But the planned ceremonial discharge was canceled because they
failed to show up, Nurman added.

He said the other reason for canceling the plan was out of
respect for the rights of the discharged police officers and the
feelings of their families, he said.

"We should consider their families' feelings. They would
surely be embarrassed to know their sons or family members were
given a dishonorable discharge. Moreover, it's their right to
refuse to join the ceremony. We respect that," Nurman said.