Police College schedules new postgraduate classes
JAKARTA (JP): The Police College (PTIK) will introduce a new postgraduate degree course next year and will welcome applications from non-police students, an official said yesterday.
PTIK governor Maj. Gen. Ahwil Lutan told The Jakarta Post that the new course would offer classes in three major subjects -- police law, police administration and police technology.
The postgraduate classes would be provided in conjunction with magisterial classes which the school has been running for three years, he said.
"The new course will be open to members of the public in the same way as the magisterial degree course is. If you pass the tests and meet our standard qualifications then you can join the college. We currently have some Atmajaya University graduates studying for the magisterial course," Ahwil said.
He added that the PTIK undergraduate (S1) courses were still only open to graduates of the Police College.
"We began academic cooperation with University of Indonesia (UI) in 1986. We follow its standard curriculum and most of the lecturers here come from UI. Tuition fees are also the same as for UI postgraduate courses.
"We aim to boost human resources in the National Police. Frankly speaking, only a limited number of police officers with specific qualifications gain entry into the Police College," Ahwil said.
The college selects students on the basis of their academic performance, mental ability and health.
"All our students have to achieve high scores in these criteria. If not they will not be offered places to study. We try to be strict and sorry, no bribes are allowed," Ahwil said after the Police College's 33rd graduation ceremony.
National Police Chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo supported Ahwil's statement, saying that bribes would not help to boost students' performance at the academy.
"We are trying to get rid of collusion, corruption and nepotism within the police, and the same applies here. Learning is very important.
"Knowledge and achievement cannot be traded for money. How can the police improve the quality of their personnel if that is allowed to happen?"
In his graduation day address, Dibyo reiterated three main aspects of the college education system which must be improved -- the curriculum, the learning process and the quality of lecturers.
"I tell you again, the police now have to face all kinds of problems, not merely crime. The political and economic situation interferes with our job and that is why this college is important to help us to broaden our perspective.
"It really helps us to become more professional and modern. We're police. We do not only have a military capacity, we have to protect and serve the people too. That's our main job."
T.B. Ronny Nitibaskara, a noted University of Indonesia professor, said there were signs that crime here was increasing.
"I believe that the rioting and looting which we recently saw has got something to do with the fact that more and more people are becoming victims of the economic turmoil.
"The crisis is driving people -- from housewives to the jobless to teenagers -- to commit crime. I am concerned about this because these people are not crooks. They do not even have criminal records," Ronny said.
He also reiterated that policing society was becoming harder and was a job filled with dilemmas. "Police have to enforce the rules, but at the same time must handle the public in a flexible manner."
At the end of his speech, Ronny suggested the police become a separate institution from the Armed Forces. "I think if the police force leaves the Armed Forces it will be in a better position to serve the public and society," he added.
One hundred and fifty five people graduated from the college at yesterday's ceremony. (edt)