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.