Unruly policemen dismissed

Unruly policemen dismissed

JAKARTA (JP): City Police stripped seven police officers of
their badges and uniforms, officially dismissing them on Monday,
on charges of polygamy, adultery, desertion, and car theft.

Following the dismissal of these seven officers, 204 city
police officers also face a similar fate of being dishonorably
discharged, for similar violations, according to city police
deputy chief Brig. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara.

"Should policemen continue to engage in criminal activities,
we will not think twice about dismissing them," Makbul told
reporters at his office.

Of the seven police officers who were discharged, all of whom
were of low rank ranging from chief brigadier to second
brigadier, one was reportedly involved in a car theft, while the
others were mostly deserters.

"When it's a criminal case, for instance murder or car theft,
police prepare the dossiers and hand them over to the Military
Police. The officers are then tried and receive their sentences
accordingly," Makbul said.

The seven city police officers were identified as First. Brig.
Suhardi, discharged over car theft and desertion; First. Brig.
Abdul Latif over adultery; Chief Pvt. Wardi Suyanto, First. Brig.
Fajar Budiyanto, Chief Brig. Junaedi and Second. Brig. Susilo for
desertion and Chief. Brig. Agus Salim for polygamy.

"This has been done to jolt police officers in the capital.
They should think twice before taking a wrong step," Makbul said.

Last year, at least 30 police officers, with ranks ranging
from captain to second sergeant, were detained at city police
internal affair's detention center, in connection with criminal
cases that included murder, blackmail, violence, robbery and car
theft.

Former chief of city police internal affairs Adj. Sr. Comr.
Mustofa said earlier that dossiers of 73 police officers were
handed over to the Military Police in 1997, 45 officers in 1998,
and 49 last year. (ylt)