South Sulawesi Police Chief: Initial Report Claimed Officer Bripda DP Died After Hitting Head Against Barracks Wall

South Sulawesi Provincial Police Chief Inspector General Djuhandhani Rahardjo Puro said his office initially received a report suggesting that the death of Bripda DP (19) was caused by the officer repeatedly hitting his own head against a wall.

Following an investigation, a police officer identified by the initials Bripda P has been named a suspect in a case of alleged assault against the recently graduated Bripda DP.

“The initial report we received stated that the deceased had been hitting his head against a wall. That was the first report we heard,” Djuhandhani said at the Pinrang Police Station on Monday (23 February).

Djuhandhani stated that the victim had been taken to hospital by several colleagues after suffering violence at the hands of a senior officer at the Samapta barracks of South Sulawesi Provincial Police. However, the victim’s life could not be saved.

“The victim was still conscious when taken to hospital,” he said.

Djuhandhani said that a joint investigation team from the Professional and Security Division (Propam) and the General Crime Directorate (Ditreskrimum) had named one of the victim’s seniors, Bripda P, as a suspect in connection with the alleged assault of Bripda DP in the Samapta barracks area.

“We are also still examining five other officers, including fellow classmates of the victim, who failed to report the incident and attempted to obscure the facts,” he said.

Nevertheless, Djuhandhani acknowledged that the motive behind the violence at the Samapta barracks of South Sulawesi Provincial Police that led to Bripda DP’s death has not yet been determined.

“We are still investigating the motive, and we are endeavouring to answer public questions regarding this case by naming one of the victim’s seniors as a suspect,” he said.

Previously, a police officer, Bripda DP (19), died after receiving medical treatment following an alleged act of violence by a senior officer at the Samapta dormitory of South Sulawesi Provincial Police.

Investigators from the Professional and Security Division (Propam) of South Sulawesi Provincial Police have launched an investigation into the allegations.

Bripda DP was rushed to Daya Regional Hospital on Sunday morning (22 February). However, the victim was pronounced dead during medical examination.