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.