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.