Police need a watchdog

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)