Riau Police Chief Presents 'Unique Gift' of Tree Saplings at Promotion Ceremony
A unique and meaningful scene unfolded during a meritorious promotion ceremony within the Riau Police force on Monday (23rd February). Instead of the usual congratulatory bouquets, the Riau Police Chief, Inspector General Pol Herry Heryawan, presented two of his officers, who were being promoted, with a special gift in the form of tree saplings.
The promotion ceremony was led directly by Inspector General Pol Herry Heryawan at the Riau Police Headquarters in Pekanbaru, on Wednesday (25th February 2026). The two middle-ranking officers who were promoted were Kompol Aprison and Kompol Saurtua Sihaloho.
This gesture is more than just symbolic; it is a concrete manifestation of the ‘Green Policing’ concept that the two-star general has been actively promoting in the Riau region. The Police Chief, affectionately known as Herimen, personally handed over the tree saplings to the two officers after the ceremony of pinning the new ranks on them.
Inspector General Herimen said that trees are a symbol of life and dedication that must be continuously nurtured to provide benefits for the surrounding environment.
“Just like the selfless service that has been given by Kompol Aprison and Kompol Saurtua, this tree is a symbol that our dedication should not stop here, but continue to grow and provide shade for the community and nature,” said Inspector General Herry.
The presentation of the tree saplings also serves as a medium for the Riau Police Chief to remind his ranks to not only be fair to fellow human beings, but also to be fair to the environment. He emphasised that every member of the Polri (Indonesian National Police) must have ecological awareness in the face of climate change challenges.
“So far, we may have been fair to humans, but we often forget to be fair to nature. Through the presentation of this tree, I want to instill the value that protecting the environment is part of our sacred duty to uphold the dignity of the institution,” he said.
The Police Chief hopes that the tree saplings can be planted and cared for by the two officers in their respective environments, as a reminder of a memorable and beneficial retirement period for future generations.
This action further reinforces the Riau Police’s commitment to bringing an ecological narrative into their daily policing duties. The Riau Police Chief wants all members of the Riau Police to be pioneers in maintaining the balance of nature, in line with the spirit of ‘Protecting the Essence, Maintaining Dignity’.
(mea/mea)