Our National Police
Our National Police
The Indonesian National Police (Polri) has passed a major
milestone in its history. It is finding itself in the totally
unfamiliar situation of having to change into a brand new
organization as it turns 54 years old on Saturday. Caught in the
grand process of democratic reform which is currently sweeping
the country, it has had to shed its military image and turn
itself into an effective, civilian-based law-enforcing apparatus.
Needless to say, that is not an easy task to accomplish for an
organization that for more than 30 years has been designed to
operate as part of the country's Armed Forces, not for the
purpose of enforcing the law and protecting the public. It was
designed to serve the interests of those in power.
How, one may ask, is Polri coping in this new situation?
In regard to organization, it must be said that Polri seems to
be doing well in the process of trying to transform itself into a
real police force which can be found in any democratic country in
the world. As a force, it was separated from the military earlier
during the year, though for the time being it remains under the
supervision of the Ministry of Defense. And as of Saturday, the
National Police will shed its military-style ranks and adopt new
ones that are more in line with its new civilian status. More
importantly, as far as the public is concerned though, is what
all this means in regard to the functional operation of the
police force.
Indonesians have long yearned to have a National Police force
that is effective, and also honest, in protecting them against
crime in any form. This, however, is a wish that is still far
from being realized. The cases of vigilantism, which are
exemplified by the burning and beating of alleged common
criminals, can be seen as an expression of public impatience, or
distrust, with the performance of the police. Complaints are
still often heard about traffic police officers asking for money,
for example, by falsely accusing motorists of violating traffic
signs. In many cases, the police seem to be where they are not
needed and absent where they are, such as during traffic jams,
street brawls or crimes.
These, of course, are classic complaints and are not always
justified. There are certainly many officers who conscientiously
perform their duties, despite personal difficulties. This
phenomenon, though, sheds light on one of the problems that the
National Police is confronted with -- that of inadequate pay.
This is a problem that the government and legislature can
hopefully resolve in order to improve the performance of the
National Police.
In short, one cannot emphasize enough the importance of having
a capable and effective police force. Democracy can only thrive
in societies where the law rules supreme. For this to be
possible, the presence of a clean and effective police force is
essential.
This leads us to one last note for this occasion: Given the
role which the National Police necessarily plays in the process
of democratization, it would be worthwhile to consider placing
the force under the supervision of the minister of home affairs
or the governors in the provinces. Placing the police under the
supervision of the President could mean a return to the old
system in which the National Police become an instrument for
those who are in power. If that happens, all the efforts we have
been making to put sovereignty back into the hands of the people
will have been in vain.