Soeharto's plan on National Police welcomed
Soeharto's plan on National Police welcomed
JAKARTA (JP): Former senior police officers have warmly
welcomed President Soeharto's plan for the continuation of the
police force's development.
"It's an extraordinary plan that the police force should adopt
in an optimum and professional way," former National Police
chief, retired general Awaloedin Djamin, told The Jakarta Post
after the Police Day ceremony yesterday.
In his speech at the ceremony of the 50th Police anniversary,
President Soeharto said that the government would continue to
strengthen the national police force in order to be able to fight
conventional and new-dimensional crime.
According to Awaloedin the next police development program
will include the raising of personnel qualifications, the
enhancement of personnel, the modernization and supply of
equipment and a significant rise in personnel welfare.
"However, the most important thing is the improvement of the
quality of our police personnel," said Awaloedin, who was the
Indonesian police chief for five years from 1978 until 1982 and
is now dean of the Police Sciences High School.
"We have to continue to find ways to boost the quality of our
police, so they can really protect the people and be really
needed and loved by the people," said Awaloedin.
However, he said, "to get a professional police force is
easier said than done."
"What's the use by having a large police force and up-to-date
devices without high quality and professional personnel?" asked
Awaloedin.
"The important thing is the man behind the gun, isn't it?" he
added.
Another former national police chief, retired general Kunarto,
said that the development of the police force should be followed
by continuous efforts to improve the force's image nationwide.
"My only hope is that all the police personnel will help to
improve the police's image in people's eyes," said Kunarto.
When asked to comment, National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Dibyo
Widodo said that the President's plan to continue to build a
strong police force will help him realize his dream, which is to
have a professional police force equipped with modern technology.
"We have pledged to improve our image by taking strict action
against undisciplined personnel," Dibyo said. (bsr)