The people's patrons

The people's patrons

Surely the Jakarta Metropolitan Police have reason to be proud
of the recent establishment of the Traffic Management Center
(TMC), which aims to provide the public with various services,
ranging from easing traffic jams to dealing with hit-and-run
cases and other street crimes.

The center, which was officially inaugurated at the beginning
of this week, is supported by 44 motorcars and motorcycles
equipped with global positioning systems (GPS), 25 close circuit
televisions (CCTV) and short messaging service (SMS).

In a demonstration held at its launching ceremony, an officer
at the center answered a phone call from a "passerby" who
reported a hit-and-run accident. Minutes later, the suspect's car
was located and officers were able to stop it, thanks to the GPS
and SSTV systems.

Even more encouraging was city police chief Insp. Gen. Firman
Gani's statement that he has ordered his officers to arrive at
the scene of reported street robberies or accidents within 15
minutes.

The services offered by the center also include assistance for
people who want to buy secondhand cars or have their vehicles'
ownership documents extended. Those who want to get more detailed
information about a vehicle they plan to buy can just grab their
cellular phone, write "Metro" (and the registration number of the
car) and send it via SMS to 1717, the newly launched hot line.
Within seconds, a reply from the police will reach them,
describing the vehicle, its maker and year of manufacture, and
the car's legality.

Before the center was established and the 1717 hotline set up,
the police had launched an emergency call number, 112, which is
connected on air to their official radio Station Suara Metro,
which is currently still operable.

It is clear that the TMC and the hot line services are aimed
at improving the police's service to the public.

Police cooperation with almost all private TV stations through
programs on crime could also be cited as another police effort to
curb crime nationwide. One TV channel's news ticker features
crime reports from viewers, including the location of gambling
dens.

All such TV programs are undoubtedly aimed at increasing
public awareness of the police's seriousness in curbing crime.

However, while the TV programs have -- intentionally or
otherwise -- served as some sort of advertisement for the police,
there have as yet been no reports by the police of cases that
have been brought to prosecutors' offices for further processing.

Sources say that several suspects were freed, allegedly after
their relatives paid a certain amount of money to police
officers.

The big question, then, is whether the police are able to
keep their promise to be more professional by being consistent in
serving the public.

In the meantime, while we are yet to receive an answer to that
question, violations of the law continue unabated. Traffic
violations could be cited as one blatant illustration.

Take for example the daily traffic jams on Jl. Arteri Permata
Hijau in South Jakarta. The traffic signs prohibiting cars from
parking there are rendered meaningless. Many drivers park their
cars right under the signs while they enjoy a meal at any of the
roadside stalls and restaurants along the busy street. There are
even days when police officers can be observed dining while their
official vehicles are parked on the road.

This indicates that the police are not in control of much that
is happening around them. Therefore, it seems premature at this
point -- just because of the new TMC and hot line services -- for
the police to claim success in improving their services to the
public. And so their professionalism remains in question.

It must, however, be said that with the ratio of police
officers to the public in Jakarta at present standing at 1:600 --
the ideal being 1:200/300 -- the police can hardly be expected to
meet public expectations.

More qualified and professional officers, as well as more
modern facilities and equipment, are needed. Little wonder that
Insp. Gen. Firman Gani is planning to have more police sub-
precinct stations built in the future, in addition to the
existing 400 sub-precinct stations throughout Greater Jakarta.

In any case, it is hoped that, as the police make efforts to
improve their public service, it dawns on them that Jakarta's
public is fed up with all the empty promises and the slogan
proclaiming that "the police are the patrons and protectors of
the people".

In reality, unscrupulous officers have been patrolling the
city and this has corroded the people's trust in the police.

We also hope that the TMC and the hot line services are a sign
of real commitment on the part of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police
to becoming the people's patrons. A better infrastructure and
better systems would mean nothing if the personnel operating
those systems were not committed to improving their
professionalism.

City residents may recall National Police chief Gen. Da'i
Bachtiar's promise that the police are striving hard to establish
a new paradigm by providing the public with better services and
better protection. Hopefully that is true.