Police Force to Conduct Evaluation Regarding Calls to Withdraw Mobile Brigade from Civilian Security Duties
The Indonesian National Police (Polri) will conduct an evaluation following calls from the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) to withdraw the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) from civilian security duties, after a Brimob officer was implicated in a fatal assault case.
“It is true that there are weaknesses, and we acknowledge this. These are individual actions. We are currently conducting an evaluation to strengthen [our procedures],” said the Head of the Polri’s Public Relations Division, Inspector General Pol. Johnny Eddizon Isir, at the Polri’s Public Relations Division building, Jakarta, Wednesday.
Polri, he said, is grateful and appreciates all input and criticism from the public. This criticism will be used as material for evaluation and improvement in the future.
However, he said that the involvement of Brimob Polri members in regional units, especially in eastern Indonesia, is still very helpful for local police stations and regional police.
“Of course, what the Brimob Polri officers do is also in collaboration with regional units to ensure security, maintain social order, and ensure safety,” he said.
Previously, the Chairman of YLBHI, Muhammad Isnur, said that the death of the victim, with the initials AT, in this assault case is not just an ordinary event, but a recurring event.
He also believes that this is a structural problem and not just an individual issue. Therefore, the improvements made must also be structural through reform, including eliminating or reducing the role of Brimob in the community.
“Brimob is a special force, a special unit intended for specific purposes. So, Brimob should not be used to deal with the public, deal with protesters, deal with citizens, or deal with those who are protecting their land and environment,” he said.
It is known that the Maluku Police officially dismissed Bripda MS (Mesias Viktor Siahaya), a Brimob officer who is a suspect in the alleged assault case against a student in Tual, resulting in the student’s death.
Bripda MS was found to have committed a disgraceful act and violated the Polri Code of Ethics. However, Bripda MS is still considering the decision and has been given time to file an appeal.
Regarding the alleged assault case, according to the chronology provided by the police, the incident began when a Brimob patrol conducted a routine activity using tactical vehicles in the Tual City and Southeast Maluku Regency areas on Thursday (February 19) early in the morning.
The patrol initially was in the Mangga Dua Complex, Langgur until around 02:00 WIT. Then, it moved to Fiditan Village, Tual City after receiving reports from residents regarding an alleged assault in the Tete Pancing area.
While at the location, the suspect Mesias and several officers got out of the vehicle and carried out security measures. About 10 minutes later, two motorcycles drove at high speed from Ngadi towards Tete Pancing.
The suspect is said to have swung a tactical helmet as a signal. However, the helmet hit the victim AT (14) on the right temple, causing the victim to fall off the motorcycle in a prone position.
The victim was then rushed to the Karel Sadsuitubun Langgur Regional Hospital for medical treatment. However, at 13:00 WIT, the victim was declared dead.