Policewomen celebrate their 50th anniversary
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's policewomen, who account for 3.44 percent of the police force's 197,400 members, celebrated their 50th anniversary at National Police Headquarters in a modest way on Tuesday.
The ceremony, led by National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Roesmanhadi, was highlighted by several activities, including a parade and a series of demonstrations of special skills by female officers.
The anniversary commemorated the first admission of six women to the National Police force at the Sumatra Police Institute in Bukittinggi on Sept. 1, 1948.
The six female cadets, later known as the founders of the policewomen's corps, were later in charge of solving problems involving children and women.
Only two of the six founders are still living. They are Col. (ret.) Djasmaniar Husein and Col. (ret.) Rosnalia Taher.
Today, Indonesia has a total of 6,790 female police officers. Twenty-five percent of them hold ranks ranging from major to brigadier general, with the remaining 75 percent ranging from sergeants to captains.
A total of 3,064 female officers are currently assigned to operational sections, with the remaining 3,726 working in other services.
"We hope to see the number of female officers in the national force increase to 9,851 personnel, or about 5 percent of the total force by next year," the three-star general said.
Several policewomen contacted by The Jakarta Post expressed optimism over policewomen's tasks.
"We exist because people need our services. As women, we are born to be more sensitive, caring and compassionate to others.
"It helps us carry out our duties as law enforcers. We can lead people to obey regulations, but in a kind of persuasive way," Col. Erda Latuasan Tarigan, personnel assistant to the national police chief, said.
She said that in order for policewomen to stay charming yet stern, they still received a Rp 20,000 monthly allowance to help buy cosmetics, lipstick and other needs.
"This allowance has been provided since 1972. Thank God, despite the crisis, we are still given the allowance so we can look pretty," the 52-year-old officer said.
The head of the National Police policewomen division, Lt. Col. Wahyu Widiarti, said the amount was actually very small compared to policewomen's personal needs, especially because of the skyrocketing prices of cosmetics during the crisis.
"But luckily we have also been issued undergarments. Twice a year, we are issued nightgowns, bras and underwear. All we have to do is to submit our sizes," Wahyu said.
"We are also issued three pairs of shoes, boots with semi-high hills and high hills, and two kinds of handbags. Well, policemen get less things than us," she said.
Policewomen are also allowed to grow nails. "But they can be no longer than three millimeters and hair length must be two centimeters above the collar," she said.
"Well, the most important thing for policewomen to do is to keep on smiling and be charming with people despite the crisis," Wahyu said. (edt)