Post opens for complaints about police

Post opens for complaints about police

YOGYAKARTA: Yogyakarta's Legal Aid Institute (LBH) opened on
Wednesday a post to accommodate complaints from local
motorcyclists over alleged mistreatment by police following the
introduction of the "standard helmet".

The LBH is concerned about the overly strict interpretation of
the forthcoming regulation on the use of helmets by the city
police.

Though the regulation will take effect in June, the police
have started to inform city motorcyclists about it.

The police said the promotion of the standard helmet is aimed
to ensure the safety of motorists and to reduce the number of
victims in traffic accidents.

"Anyone who feels they have received improper treatment from
the police can just come to the post and tell us about it," head
of LBH's Operational Division Teguh Purnomo said.

He said the post was set up to serve as a bridge between
motorcyclists and the local police to settle any disputes over
the use of helmets.

"We have received some reports that many policemen are
overzealous in their punishment of motorcyclists not wearing what
they consider to be a standard helmet," Teguh said

According to him, an LBH activist had witnessed a policeman
stamping on a helmet considered to be non-standard one, which was
previously worn by a motorcyclist he stopped on the street. --JP