Traffic policemen removed for health reasons
Traffic policemen removed for health reasons
JAKARTA (JP): The City Traffic Police plan to transfer
officers who have been deployed on the roads for a long time to
help reduce stress, as was revealed in a recent study made by a
renowned university.
"We're still discussing the plan and it might take some time
before we come to a conclusion," Lt. Col. Herman S.S., head of
the police investigation division, told The Jakarta Post
yesterday.
According to the plan, a wide number of traffic policemen who
have "survived" in heavy air pollution for between five and 10
years will be replaced with those currently working at
administrative units.
The "new" officers will be carefully selected, Herman said.
Recent research, conducted by a group led by Wahyadi from the
University of Indonesia, revealed that a total of 41.2 percent of
the 300 traffic police officers investigated in the survey were
inclined to suffer from certain psychopathic personality traits.
As many as 21.8 percent of the respondents were suffering from
anxiety problems, the study said.
The study also said that the level of frustration suffered by
traffic police was three times higher than normal. At a certain
point, disappointment could turn into anger, it said.
The members of the study included psychologists and traffic
experts.
Half of the 300 respondents, covering corporals, sergeants and
warrant officers, were deployed on the roads, while the remaining
half were administrative officers.
A total of the 163 samples said that they had been at their
current posts for at least five years, 72 officers between six
and 10 years, and 25 for more than 10 years.
Only 19 officers took up their posts by choice, while the
remainder were assigned to them.
It is 's no secret that certain offices, such as the office
producing driving license and vehicle documents, appear to
produce wealthier police officers than others.
The study, however, gave no information about the economic
status of the respondents, nor what it was that caused the
officers frustration.
Generally speaking, standing constantly for at least six hours
in the middle of traffic in a metropolis like Jakarta explain the
poor condition of the police, who rarely use masks.
Some even say that doing this too long may cause impotence in
male officers.
The study suggested that the authorities issue regulations to
limit the working period of the officers.
Rotating the officers to other posts is necessary to help
improve their mentalities and personalities, the study said. (bsr)