`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.