Police credibility at stake

Police credibility at stake

When fire drills are held, police officers are generally among the instructors invited to explain how fires can be prevented. If a fire breaks out, they caution, don't panic. Put it out in a systematic manner to prevent it from spreading and causing greater damage.

When the national police headquarters was razed by fire earlier this week, a number of important spaces were destroyed, including the Control and Operations Command Center. It was as if all fire-fighting theories had, well, gone up in smoke. The damage inflicted was not merely material, but a blow to the image and credibility of the police force. Police instructors will be hard pressed to be convincing at their next fire drill.

It is sad to see our national police headquarters in ruins. For the umpteenth time we are obliged to point out the importance of professionalism in all sectors and the protection of vital buildings such as the former national police headquarters.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta