Police to be tried over candid camera show
Police to be tried over candid camera show
Evi Mariani, Jakarta
Four policemen and their superiors have been investigated by the
Jakarta Police internal affairs over their alleged involvement in
a candid camera show that, according to the city police chief,
had tarnished the institution's professional image.
"The officers will be prosecuted in an open trial at
headquarters next week," Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul
Padmanagara announced on Friday.
The investigation was conducted following a candid camera show
aired by a private TV station last week, which showed four Kebon
Jeruk policemen forcefully arresting and questioning a man who
helped set up his friend for possessing marijuana.
The "dealers" were arrested in a pretend raid on a Kebon Jeruk
street on their way home from a birthday party, and were taken to
the Kebon Jeruk police station, where officers questioned them
aggressively.
"In the footage, the officers are shouting at the so-called
suspects. They even made both victims strip. It was an
inappropriate action," Makbul said.
The show's host, who came up with the idea for the candid
camera joke, planted a pack of "marijuana" inside their car,
which the four officers were to find and then take him and the
show's victim to the station for questioning.
The "victim", who was innocent of the joke, was extremely
upset upon learning the arrest and interrogation was a ruse, and
smashed a table at the police station, breaking its glass top.
"The TV crew claimed it had submitted a letter to the police
station, asking for permission to perform the scenes. The Kebon
Jeruk Police deputy chief was the one who received the letter,"
Makbul said.
Besides questioning the four officers, internal affairs also
interrogated Kebon Jeruk Police chief Comr. Ahmad Alwi and West
Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Herry Prastowo in connection with
the show.
Makbul regretted the incident, saying the senior officers
should have refused the TV crew's request or at least notified
Jakarta Police public relations before making any decision.
He stressed police did not want to put the blame on the TV
station.
"No, no, the fault is with the police," he said.
Candid camera shows are aired by most private TV stations and
receive good ratings, although many people also criticize them.