Wanted: Improved service from police

The Jakarta Metropolitan Police are improving the quality of its service to the public in stages. One manifestation of this is by making available a sufficient number of patrol cars in all parts of Greater Jakarta.

According to the plan, in June one hundred police patrol cars will be fielded to various areas, from a target of 500 as announced by the Metro Police Chief Makbul Padmanegara.

The people sincerely hopes that its high expectations of the police force will become a reality; not as we have experienced so far, where there are no definite standards. The telephone numbers for complaints, for instance, are more often than not engaged. Even when we get through, it is difficult to make sure whether the service sought can be provided or not. It means that seeking police assistance is a game of chance that depends of luck.

The budget assistance given by the regional administration and business circles for police operations should not imply that the police favor its donors, because such contributions are meant to better serve public interests rather than certain individuals or institutions.

In order to provide high quality and effective service, the metropolitan police should also improve the mentality of their personnel, administratively as well as in the field. However advanced operational facilities may be, if it is not combined with a positive mentality and attitude, the service will not be optimal.

--Warta Kota, Jakarta