Shocking Facts: Police Officer Bripda DP Initially Reported to Have Died from Self-Inflicted Head Injuries

Makassar, VIVA — Bripda DP died as a result of assault carried out by his senior colleague, now named as a suspect, Bripda P. However, before this fact came to light, the initial report received by the South Sulawesi Regional Police stated that Bripda DP had died from repeatedly banging his own head.

“The initial report we received stated that the individual died from banging his head. That was the first account we heard,” said South Sulawesi Police Chief, Inspector General Djuhandhani Rahardjo Puro, as quoted on Tuesday, 24 February 2026.

However, the former Director of General Criminal Investigation at the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency did not simply accept this account at face value. To ascertain the cause of death, they conducted a Scientific Crime Investigation, and the results were revealing.

“We did not simply take it on trust. We immediately verified the account scientifically. We proved that what was reported by the officer — that he had banged his own head — was untrue,” he said.

Subsequently, the authorities carried out an examination through the Medical and Health Division (Biddokkes) and discovered several bruises on the victim’s body, which were believed to have resulted from physical assault.

“Through the hard work of our Professional and Security Division (Propam) and the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation, we were able to prove that assault had been committed against the victim,” he added.

One person has been named as a suspect in the assault of Bripda DP that led to his death.

“We have now detained one suspect based on their confession. However, we are not taking this at face value, as we are still examining possible involvement of others,” said South Sulawesi Police Chief Inspector General Djuhandhani Rahardjo Puro on Monday, 23 February 2026.

A young police officer holding the rank of Bripda, with the initials DP, was reported dead inside a Police Barracks (Aspol) at the South Sulawesi Regional Police Headquarters complex in Makassar. DP is believed to have died as a result of assault by his senior colleague.

Head of the Professional and Security Division of the South Sulawesi Regional Police, Commissioner Zulham Effendi, said his team had questioned six witnesses, including DP’s seniors.

“We cannot yet confirm whether the victim was subjected to a group assault or not. What is certain is that we have conducted examinations of six individuals, including colleagues from his cohort and his seniors. The number of those questioned may increase,” he told reporters, as quoted on Sunday, 22 February 2026.