Young Police Officer Dies in Suspected Assault by Senior at Makassar Barracks

Makassar (ANTARA) — A young police officer with the rank of Bripda, identified by the initials DP, has reportedly died in a suspected assault by senior officers at the Police Barracks (Aspol) within the South Sulawesi Regional Police (Polda Sulsel) headquarters complex on Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan, Makassar.

“We cannot yet confirm whether the victim was beaten by a group or not, but we have already examined six individuals, including colleagues from his cohort and DP’s seniors. More may be questioned later,” said the Head of Internal Affairs (Propam) of Polda Sulsel, Commissioner Zulham Effendi, to reporters in Makassar on Sunday.

The incident came to light after the Polda Sulsel Directorate of Samapta received information regarding the victim’s complaints following the dawn prayer after sahur (pre-dawn meal during Ramadan). Initial reports indicated that the individual had fallen ill whilst at the police barracks. He was subsequently rushed to RSUD Daya hospital for medical treatment.

Tragically, the victim could not be saved and was pronounced dead. The family was initially informed that the victim had fallen ill, but upon arriving at the hospital, they discovered irregularities — the victim’s body bore bruises and his mouth was bloodied.

Sensing something amiss about the death, the body was transferred to Bhayangkara Hospital for a post-mortem examination to ascertain whether the victim had been subjected to violence whilst at the police barracks.

“That is why, to establish whether there was violence, we brought the body to Bhayangkara Hospital, as it had initially been taken to RSUD Daya. I have conveyed to the Head of Medical Services at Polda Sulsel, including the examining doctor, that they should conduct a thorough examination with nothing concealed — if there was indeed violence,” he affirmed to reporters at RSUD Daya.

The Internal Affairs division stressed that it is still investigating the cause of the victim’s death. To determine the precise cause, the body was transferred to Bhayangkara Hospital under the Polda Sulsel Medical Services division for a post-mortem examination and autopsy.

“This is for further examination, both external and internal post-mortem. If the family grants permission, we will conduct an autopsy. All procedures relating to this incident will certainly be handled professionally,” he explained.

“From the Internal Affairs division, God willing, we will uncover the truth if there was an incident beyond ordinary circumstances, or a suspicious incident, or if there was violence involved. We will set the record straight and enforce the regulations in accordance with the applicable rules,” he further affirmed.

Thus far, it is known that the victim’s father is a police officer serving at Pinrang District Police, Aipda H Jabir, who along with his wife is still awaiting the release of his son’s body, which is undergoing post-mortem examination at Bhayangkara Hospital. The body is planned to be taken to the family home in Pinrang Regency, South Sulawesi, following the completion of the process.