Police mistakes

The National Police have as their motto "to serve and protect the public". Unfortunately, their actions speak way differently from this motto. Hopefully, the National Police realize this and will take the necessary measures to ensure that their actions reflect their motto.

The following is a list of mistakes committed by the police, both as an institution and as individuals. The new National Police chief could use this list as input for his year-end evaluation of police performance and a basis for improvement of the police.

Here is the list of mistakes: - Trapping motorcyclists. Nearly all policemen assigned on the roads always stand after a traffic light in the hope that they can get some "compromise" money from traffic offenders. If they stood before a traffic light, they could of course prevent traffic users from violating traffic regulations. Just watch a police officer with the initials of GYTO nab at least four automobiles every morning in the Buncit area, in front of the Multika building. A similar situation can be found on Jl. Rasuna Said and Jl. Gatot Subroto (under the flyover). - Allowing/forcing traffic offenders to pay a fine on the spot. This unedifying act certainly causes losses to the state, doesn't it? - Backing up criminal acts or illegal activities such as smuggling, gambling, selling porn VCDs and supporting their piracy (Suara Pembaruan of Sept. 19, 1999). - Acting emotionally and violently against protesters as well as reporters (Republika of Oct. 15, 2001). - Hiding, losing or selling evidence (Suara Pembaruan of June, 24, 2001). - Arresting people without producing a warrant and without informing the family of those arrested where they have been taken. - Shooting the wrong target. Some police officers frequently shoot the wrong target even when they are chasing criminals in a quiet location. This shows how poor police shooting skills are (Republika of Nov. 7, 2001). - Taking or hiding the belongings of people subjected to police raids. (ANTV program of Fakta on Nov. 1, 2001). - Being directly involved in criminal acts such as robbing and trading illegal materials (Suara Pembaruan of Dec. 8, 1999). - Carelessly guarding suspects and detainees, therefore enabling them to escape (Republika of Oct. 31, 2001). - Acting as middlemen in public services. For example, at least 15 police act as middlemen and offer their services at the vehicle document processing center on Jl. Daan Mogot every day. People have to fork out some Rp 250,000 instead of Rp 52,000 to obtain a driver's license via these middlemen.

RICO SANJAYA

Bekasi, West Java