West Nusa Tenggara Police Replace Acting Bima City Police Chief Linked to Narcotics
West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Regional Police have again replaced the acting (Plh) Bima City police chief after the previous incumbent, Senior Commissioner (AKBP) Didik Putra Kuncoro, was named a suspect in a narcotics distribution case.
Deputy Commander of the NTB Regional Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob), AKBP Hariyanto, has now been appointed to fill the acting Bima City police chief position.
AKBP Hariyanto replaces AKBP Catur Setiawan, who had previously been assigned as acting police chief to fill the vacancy left by AKBP Didik.
NTB Regional Police Public Relations Chief, Senior Commissioner (Kombes) Mohammad Kholid, said Hariyanto’s appointment was routine and the result of weekly evaluations.
“He is filling the vacancy whilst awaiting a permanent police chief from National Police Headquarters. The assignment is indeed evaluated every seven days,” he told reporters on Saturday (21 February).
He explained that Catur had been recalled because he was needed in his substantive role as Head of the Violent Crimes Sub-directorate at the NTB Regional Police Criminal Investigation Directorate.
“Catur is needed in his position as Head of the Violent Crimes Sub-directorate for case handling. Therefore, he has been replaced by AKBP Hariyanto, the Brimob Deputy Commander,” he said.
Previously, National Police Headquarters had addressed the appointment of AKBP Catur Setiawan — who himself has a history of narcotics use — as acting Bima City police chief.
National Police Public Relations Bureau Chief, Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, said the appointment had been made by NTB Regional Police after careful deliberation and in accordance with existing procedures.
“Having weighed various considerations and followed the proper mechanisms, this is a temporary replacement — an acting appointment,” he said at a press conference on Thursday (19 February).
He added that the acting appointment was only temporary until the national police leadership determines a permanent replacement for the Bima City police chief.
“Following the alleged violations and subsequent actions taken by NTB Regional Police, the Professional and Security Division, and the Criminal Investigation Agency, further developments will naturally be communicated by NTB Regional Police,” he explained.
When he still held the rank of Assistant Commissioner (AKP), Catur had served as Head of the Narcotics Crime Unit at Ternate Police. On 4 May 2017, he tested positive for methamphetamine use after a urine test conducted by the North Maluku Regional Police Medical Division.
At the time, Catur received a disciplinary sanction from the North Maluku Regional Police Chief, Brigadier General Dwi Apriyanto. He was removed from his position but subsequently returned to duty elsewhere.