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