Urging Jokowi to Reform the Police Immediately, Civil Coalition Gives 6 Demands

Thursday, 21/10/2021 09:46 WIB

Jakarta, law-justice.co – The Coalition for Security Sector Reformation urges Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Indonesian Citizen Board of Representatives to hurry up the Police reformation. The urge follows the rise of public criticism through the hashtag #PercumaLaporPolisi (#CallingThePoliceisAWasteOfTime) in the past few days.

The coalition consists of those members of KontraS, Imparsial, Amnesty International Indonesia, Public Virtue Institute, LBH Jakarta, Setara Institute, ICJR, HRWG, Elsam, PBHI, LBH Masyarakat, Pil-Net, ICW and LBH Pers.

This coalition has issued six points of insistence on reform based on the findings of a number of cases, the resolution of which was deemed unaccountable and transparent, and contrary to human rights principles.

They then reminded of recent events related to the Police's professionalism. First, the case of sexual violence against three children in East Luwu, South Sulawesi, which was reported by Project Multatuli.

Second, the determination of the suspect to a trader who suffered persecution from several suspected market thugs in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra. Third, violence against a number of students during the handling of demonstrations around the Tangerang Regent's office, Banten, last October 13th.

The following are the reformation demands submitted by the Security Sector Reformation Coalition:

First, the President and the Indonesian Citizen Board of Representatives (DPR RI) were asked to immediately accelerate the police reformation agenda by revising various laws related to cultural, structural and instrumental aspects. This revision can be started from the revision of the Police Law, the Criminal Procedure Code, and various other interrelated regulations.

Second, the President and the Indonesian House of Representatives are required to immediately revise the law relating to the major powers of the Police with the aim of providing effective supervision and control over the large powers of the Police, by at least prompting the discussion of the Criminal Procedure Code (RKUHAP), the Prosecutor's Bill, and other relevant laws.

Third, the President and the DPR are asked to instruct the National Police Chief to conduct a thorough evaluation and take corrective steps for the implementation of the police's duties that put forward the principles of democratic policing and respect for human rights.

The coalition urges that officers who commit acts of violence must be dealt with immediately through a transparent criminal justice process, so that they can become part of the commitment of law enforcement in the internal police body.

Fourth, the National Police Chief is urged to evaluate the internal regulations. Perkap Number 1 of 2009 concerning the Use of Force in Police Actions as a rule for securing demonstrations needs to be revised to include strict sanctions rules and the obligation to process criminal charges for members who are proven to have violated the rules and regulations. In addition, Perkap No. 8 of 2009 concerning the Implementation of Human Rights Standards in Police Duties needs to be revised to include an attachment to SOPs related to democratic policing tasks.

Fifth, the National Police Chief is asked to improve the education process to end the culture of violence that is still considered strong in the police force. According to the Coalition, members of the police should abandon the old way of seeing themselves as "punishers". Police officers are expected to realize that their duties are to maintain security and order, enforce the law, protect, protect and serve the community. Therefore, members of the police are not justified in giving punishment, especially by means of violence to the community.

Sixth, the President is asked to immediately form an Independent Team for the Acceleration of Reform in the police that works directly under the President, to ensure changes occur in all police lines.

On the other hand, when responding to the findings of many violations committed by police officers in the field, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo stated that police officers who violated the rules must be dealt with firmly.

Listyo also regrets that police officers who do not obey the rules, whose will damage the image and reputation of the police who are supposed to work to help and serve the citizens, for example assisting in handling the pandemic, distributing social assistance, vaccination programs, and monitoring health protocols.

“Strict action is needed, so please don't use it for long. Dismissed immediately, PTDH (dishonorable dismissal) and criminal proceedings. Do it right away and this is an example for others. I ask that there is no Kasatwil (Head of Regional Unit) who has any doubts. When in doubt, I take over,” Listyo said, Tuesday (19/10).

In the aftermath of this finding, Listyo then issued a telegram addressed to all the Area Police Chiefs in Indonesia. The telegram has been confirmed by the Head of the Public Relations Division of the National Police, Inspector General Argo Yuwono. The telegram is numbered ST/2162/X/HUK2.9/2021 and signed by the Head of the National Police Propam Division Inspector General Ferdy Sambo on behalf of the National Police Chief.

"Provide punishment or strict sanctions against members who are proven to have violated the discipline or code of ethics as well as criminal acts, especially those related to excessive violence and to direct superiors who do not carry out supervision and control according to their responsibilities," one of the telegram reads.

(Annisa\Editor)