President Joko Widodo’s sole nominee for the National Police’s top post, Comr. Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, has been approved to lead the police force with acclamation from House of Representatives Commission III.
By
kompas editor
·3 minutes read
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s sole nominee for the National Police’s top post, Comr. Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, has been approved to lead the police force with acclamation from House of Representatives Commission III.
Listyo’s fit and proper test at the House went smoothly. In front of current National Police Chief Gen. Idham Azis and several other senior police generals, Listyo conveyed his vision for the police force, which he dubbed “presisi”. The term is an acronym and refers to a National Police that is predictive, responsible and transparently, as well as fair.
Reading through his 130-page paper, it is understandable that the public has high hopes for a major overhaul within the National Police under Listyo’s leadership. He explains the stance of the police toward facing the current era of digital disruption, geopolitical dynamics and tough domestic challenges.
His idea is connected to using big data and the Internet of Things (IoT), both of which are crucial in preparing to police Industry 4.0.
On reviewing Listyo’s paper, which was presented to House Commission III, Kompas Research & Development (Litbang Kompas) found the words “service” and “public service” mentioned 158 times and 20 times, respectively. Public service appears to be the keyword in Listyo’s vision for improving the National Police’s quality of performance. His idea is connected to using big data and the Internet of Things (IoT), both of which are crucial in preparing to police Industry 4.0.
Listyo is still relatively young as a police chief, graduating the Police Academy in 1991. There are dozens of police generals who have a more senior rank than he does. Listyo’s term is therefore likely to be long, at least until the end of President Jokowi’s term in October 2024. Having a long term of service will give Listyo ample opportunities to change the character of the police force into a professional institution that possesses humanity and respects human rights and democracy, as well as one that is just and virtuous in enforcing the law.
Listyo’s task now is to introduce his vision as a guideline for the more than 400,000-strong National Police force. This will be a heavy task. Strengthening internal unity will be the first challenge.
The public has long awaited for someone like Listyo, with his strong commitment to service leadership and to be an example. Despite his relative youth, Listyo got off to a good start when he visited Idham and other senior police generals for their advice.
The country, including the National Police, needs a good leadership role model: a leader that will be an exemplary example to the members of the police force; a leader whose statements match their actions; a leader that is honest and understands that their duty is entrusted to them by the people.
Gus Dur’s jest was intended to motivate the National Police to become a better institution.
Former president Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid once joked that the country had only three honest “police officers”: police statues, polisi tidur (“sleeping police”, or speed bumps) and former National Police chief Gen. Hoegeng Iman Santoso (1968-1971). Gus Dur’s jest was intended to motivate the National Police to become a better institution.
Aside from reforming the attitude of the police force, other challenges include drug-related crimes, corruption, terrorism and cybercrimes. New leadership brings new hope, a hope for better service to the Republic.