Sutanto vows to be impartial

Sutanto vows to be impartial

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Newly installed National Police chief Gen. Sutanto pledged to
turn the force into an independent institution, despite his close
ties to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

During the handover ceremony held on Saturday at the Mobile
Brigade (Brimob) Headquarters in Kelapa Dua, Depok, Sutanto
warned police officers against becoming involved in political
activities or working for political parties.

Every officer has a right to take an interest in politics as
part of democracy, but that does not mean that they are permitted
to become directly involved in political activities, he stressed.

"The police force needs to seek the best form of public
control to ensure its independence," Sutanto said, adding that
the police had to willingly work together with whoever was
president.

Sutanto's appointment as police chief had been touted by close
aides of Susilo since the latter took office in October last
year. The two were the outstanding graduates of the Military
Academy in their respective fields in 1973.

Sutanto was promoted to the rank of commissioner general in
February, when he took command of the National Narcotics Agency,
a post which he held for less then five months.

During his speech on Saturday, Sutanto said the change of
leadership, which took place close to the force's anniversary,
marked a new beginning for the internal reform process as part of
the effort to improve the force's capabilities, professionalism
and independence.

"The police must not take sides in the performance of their
duties," Sutanto said.

Article 28 of the National Police Law (No. 2/2002) says the
police are prohibited from engaging in political activities.

In one case that took place during the term of Sutanto's
predecessor, Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, an officer was assigned a desk
job by the police disciplinary council for openly supporting
presidential candidate Megawati Soekarnoputri, who was also the
incumbent at the time.

Banyumas Police chief Sr. Comr. Andi Mapparessa was found
guilty of partiality, but no charges were laid against him under
the electoral legislation.

Apart from urging police officers to improve their
independence, Sutanto also warned them against taking the law
into their own hands.

"The police only enforce, not create, the law, and must
perform their duties in line with the legislation," he said.

He asked the police force to reform its behavior, ethics and
culture in order to provide better services to the public.

"To achieve these goals, we should start with changes inside
the institution. Every police officer should understand that he
or she is responsible for providing services to the public,"
Sutanto said.

Susilo has asked Sutanto, who rose to prominence due to his
perceived tough stance against gambling, to focus on corruption
eradication, fuel smuggling, illegal logging and drug
trafficking.