Police need a watchdog

JAKARTA (JP): The central government must seriously consider establishing a Police Commission to help supervise and control the discipline of police, including their acts towards suspected criminals, a criminologist suggested on Wednesday.

Criminologist Adrianus Meliala of the University of Indonesia told a seminar that the proposed commission would comprise government officials, members of the House of Representatives and National Police officers.

"How many times have we heard of people bribing traffic police to avoid being ticketed? There are also police officers blackmailing suspects, or even beating up suspects to obtain confessions," Adrianus told reporters along the sidelines of the seminar on an independent and professional police force.

"Don't believe that the police internal affairs can properly handle these matters. If such a commission were established, the general public could mail letters to the commission to discuss such issues openly," he said.

Adrianus added that such a commission also could oversee police policies.

"Till now, it is the National Police chief who sets policies to his liking. Every time the chief changes, the policies also change," Adrianus said.

He explained that as a result, the chief is the one who decides whether a suspect is wrong or not, based on his policies.

"This should not be the case. The chief's autocratic authority on major decisions, that effects thousands of lives, should be lessened," Adrianus said. (ylt)