The National Police (Polri) are deemed to have good social capital, as 62.1 percent of respondents to an opinion poll conducted by Kompas recently believed that the police had a relatively good public image.
By
KOMPAS TEAM
·3 minutes read
The National Police (Polri) are deemed to have good social capital, as 62.1 percent of respondents to an opinion poll conducted by Kompas recently believed that the police had a relatively good public image. However, the National Police need to seriously improve their integrity.
The survey, conducted on June 23-25, 2020 indicated that young millennials (under 30 years old) are among the most skeptical group of respondents. For example, this group of respondents, the largest compared to the older millennial age group (31-40), generation X (41-52), and baby boomers (over 53 years), which agreed to the perception that "the police are easily bribed".
Incidentally, not long ago, discussion arose in connection to an incident of alleged intimidation conducted by the police intelligence unit on Sula island, North Maluku against a local resident, Ismail Ahmad, who uploaded former president Gus Dur\'s jokes onto social media, which said that there were only three honest policemen, “the statues of cops, sleeping cops [speed bumps], and [incorruptible late National Police chief] General Hoegeng Imam Santoso.”
There was no problem with the jokes, and it was not an issue that requires the attention of the police.
North Maluku Regional Police chief Inspector General Rikwanto later reprimanded the Sula Islands Police chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Muhammad Irvan and his staff. "There was no problem with the jokes, and it was not an issue that requires the attention of the police,” said Rikwanto (Kompas, 19/6/2020).
The problem related to the integrity was not the first to hit the police. Not surprisingly, an improvement to their integrity has become an important part of police reform, which prioritizes three main issues – the eradication of corrupt culture, culture of violence, and culture of arrogant authority.
National Police chief General (Pol) Idham Azis has issued an order asking police personnel and their family members to live modestly and avoid showing off. The instruction is part of a series of mental reforms to avoid violations and to create a National Police force that is solid and loved by the public. If there is a violation, sanctions will be handed down (National Council November 25, 2019).
The opinion of the young millennials about the police personnel, and Gus Dur’s jokes uploaded by Ismail, are like "thorns in the flesh" that still haunt the police. This negative view "disturbs" the performance of the National Police, who have garnered a positive reputation, especially in their handling of terrorism and transparency in public services.
With more than 440,000 personnel police and thousands of working units throughout Indonesia, it is not easy for the National Police to carry out bureaucratic reform to erode the culture of corruption.
However, the enthusiasm toward improvement must continue. The spirit of Polri\'s mental reform should be undertaken from the highest leadership of the National Police to the lowest ranks. Exemplary Polri officers are crucial because it will be the most ideal example for all personnel at various levels and regions.
The figure of the legendary former Police chief Hoegeng deserves to be a model for how the police should maintain integrity. If not, Gus Dur\'s joke about honest police personnel will continue to spread. Various statements related to internal reform efforts are often heard. The public is waiting for the proof.