`Police's slogan to serve, protect the public is just empty rethoric'
`Police's slogan to serve, protect the public is just empty rethoric'
With the National Police's 57th anniversary on Tuesday, many
people have said their slogan of "to serve and protect the
public" is not effective, despite separating from the military a
few years ago. Rampant bribery has largely been blamed for their
poor performance. The Jakarta Post talked to several people about
this issue.
Parjo, not his real name, 55, is a sidewalk vendor selling
soft drinks in Petamburan, Central Jakarta. He lives in Tanah
Abang, Central Jakarta, with his wife and three children:
In my opinion, the image of the police has been deteriorating,
although they were separated from the military by former
president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid.
Theoretically, the separation should have improved the force
but in fact, this goal was not achieved and it is even worse now.
Their slogan to serve and protect the public is just empty
rhetoric. To extort money from people is more accurate, I would
think.
Many times I have seen police officers stationed on street
corners to enforce public transportation vehicles to obey the
law. But they allow traffic violations to go on as long as the
bus crews give them cigarette money, ranging from Rp 5,000 to Rp
10,000 per driver.
Then they go and buy a pack of cigarette that normally costs
Rp 7,500, but they pay only Rp 5,000. The vendors, however, do
not dare to ask for more.
Hearing about all this makes me think that the police are just
thugs in uniforms that are out to make low-income earners suffer
more.
Apart from that, many people believe that a lot of officers
use and deal in drugs. Confiscated drugs are often traded again
after some of it is used as evidence in court.
It seems that they are only willing to work just for money,
despite their major responsibility to the public.
I'm really sad to see the situation become widespread. I just
hope that someday this corrupt country will have a social
revolution to get rid of these bad officers.
Situs, 20, is an electrician at a private company in West
Jakarta. He lives in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, with his
family:
The police's slogan of to protect and serve the public is a
big lie. I have had to deal with the police many times by
settling traffic offenses on the spot.
I have had to spend quite a lot of money on settling these
violations amicably. After that, I manage to get my driver's
license back and the other documents I need for my motorcycle.
When the police launch a traffic operation, I am sure they
want to find loopholes, deemed to be mistakes on my part. It's a
way for them to extort money from motorists.
I don't think they give people good service. If we report a
criminal case or something to the police, they only halfheartedly
respond to it if we don't give them money for whatever reason.
Common crimes will not get a serious response, I think. But
the police will record the report if money is involved.
It's a different case if rich people file a complaint. The
police will get on the case and quickly arrest any suspects.
That's the reason people are reluctant to go to the police,
because they tend to be indifferent and they fear they will be
forced to pay illegal fees.
All our efforts are in vain because the case is never solved,
even though we spend a lot of money on it.
Kiki, 24, is a vendor selling hot snacks in Pejompongan,
Central Jakarta. He lives nearby with his friends:
I don't believe at all in the police's vow to serve and
protect the public. I would rather call them extorters, due to
the irregular way they ask for money from people for their
services.
However, I can understand their attitude somewhat. These
officers and their families have to survive on their take-home
pay. Therefore, they have to find whatever way is possible to get
extra income from their profession.
I don't know what would happen if police officers in the
country received an adequate salary. It would probably reduce the
frequency of bribery.
Nevertheless, the situation depends on the mentality of both
the officers and the people.
One thing that is for sure is that city residents never have a
feeling of safety or protection with Jakarta's street crime. It's
just an indicator of the police's poor performance.
-- Leo Wahyudi S.