Two directors, four precinct chiefs transferred

Two directors, four precinct chiefs transferred

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Jakarta police announced on Wednesday a major reshuffle involving
two directors from two elite divisions, and four police precinct
chiefs, including the chiefs of the prestigious West Jakarta and
North Jakarta police precincts.

The general crime chief Sr. Comr. Matius Salempang and special
crime chief Sr. Comr. Edmon Ilyas were sent to participate in
training at the National Resilience Institute (Lemhamnas), and
their posts were given to West Jakarta police chief Sr. Comr.
Suhardi Alius and North Jakarta police chief Sr. Comr. Syahrul
Mama respectively.

The posts left by Suhardi and Syahrul were filled by Tangerang
police chief Sr. Comr. I Ketut Untung Yoga and West Java general
crime deputy chief Sr. Comr. Dede Sunarya respectively.

Depok police chief Sr. Comr. Raja Erisman was appointed
Tangerang police chief, and Adj. Comr. Ratnawati Hadiwidjaja of
the East Jakarta police precinct took up the post left by Raja.

Several women police have achieved ranks as high or higher
than Ratnawati's, but she is the first woman ever to be appointed
as a precinct chief in Jakarta.

City police spokesman Sr. Comr. Tjiptono said the reshuffle
was aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of Jakarta police as
well as providing career paths to several promising officers to
fill the vacancies left by more senior officers who are pursuing
advanced training.

"This is part of our effort to improve our service to the
public. There is nothing extraordinary about it as we have
planned it," said Tjiptono.

However, the reshuffle came as a surprise as there had been no
earlier indication from Jakarta police chief Insp. Firman Gani
that he intended to replace such senior officers, especially in
two of the most prestigious posts -- chiefs of general crime and
special crime.

Even more surprising was the appointment of Suhardi Alius, who
had been accused of turning a blind eye to gambling activities in
West Jakarta, as general crime chief.

He was roundly criticized by the public and several members of
the House Representatives over an alleged shooting incident
between his own officers, officers from city police, and officers
from national police headquarters, in a gambling house raid in
Taman Palem in West Jakarta.