Public order office insists on arming officers with guns

Public order office insists on arming officers with guns

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Despite mounting criticism, the city Public Order Office vowed to
go forward with a plan to distribute guns to its officers, saying
the step was necessary to maintain order and to allow the
officers to protect themselves as they do their jobs.

Firman Hutajulu, the head of the Public Order Office,
confirmed the plan on Friday, and stated that the city
administration had purchased 75 FN .38 caliber guns.

"Some 45 of the guns will be distributed to the Public Order
Office, while the rest will go to the city Transportation
Office," Firman said.

He said his officers were still waiting for gun permits from
the police.

"Our officers will be trained in how to use the guns. We
expect the program will be finished in three months," he said.

Each gun, along with a license and training by the police,
will cost Rp 25.2 million. The money will come from the city
budget.

Last year, the Public Order Office purchased approximately 60
German-made gas pistols and pistols that fire rubber bullets, for
Rp 22 million each. The city spent at least Rp 3 billion for the
guns and to train the officers in their use.

Firman said his office had been using guns in their operations
since the 1970s. "So, this policy has been in place for a long
time."

He added that firearms were only used if the situation in the
field became chaotic.

"We want to ensure the safety of our officers as well as the
public," said Firman, adding that the guns would only go to the
top-level field officers who passed psychological tests and a
training course.

According to Law No. 8/1948 on the possession and use of
firearms, a civilian is allowed to possess a gun only with a
permit issued by the National Police.

But much of the concern from the public centers not on the
firearms, but the people behind the guns.

"The plan to arm their officers with guns could backfire,
because it could lead to serious confrontations between the
officers and the public," said Tubagus Haryo Karbyanto, the head
of the urban division of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute.

Tubagus said the main problem was how the public order
officers dealt with the people, which was key to their efforts to
maintain security and order in the capital.

"Public order and security can only be realized if the
officers take a humanistic approach rather than a military
approach when dealing with the public," said Tubagus.

Tubagus said that over the past two years, the city's public
order officers had become notorious for their "militaristic
approach" in dealing with pedicab drivers, squatters and street
vendors.

This approach had often resulted in clashes. The latest
incident occurred on Thursday between officers from the North
Jakarta Public Order Office and pedicab drivers in Tanjung Priok,
leaving two cars damaged and three people injured.

"Don't think that by arming officers with more sophisticated
weapons that security and order can be enforced. Rather, it could
incite violent opposition from the public. Remember the public
can also arm itself," warned Tubagus.

For this reason, Tubagus urged the administration to reject
the plan and use the money for other programs.

He also questioned the level of public access to information
about the criteria for choosing civilians for gun permits.

"How can we be sure that the man behind the gun is emotionally
stable and psychologically sound, so that he will not harm the
public?" Tubagus asked.