Total Evaluation for Polri

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The suspect, Ferdy Sambo, is participating in a series of reconstructions of the murder of Brigadier Novriansyah Yosua Hutabarat at Ferdy Sambo's official residence at the Police Service House Complex, Jalan Duren Tiga Utara, South Jakarta, on Tuesday (30/8/2022).

The Ferdy Sambo scandal has decreased the public's trust in the National Police (Polri) drastically, as well as public perception of the law enforcement sector.

The public's anger and anxiety are reflected in a survey conducted by Indonesian Political Indicators for the 11-17 August period. The survey shows that 37.7 percent of respondents rated our law enforcement as “bad” and “very bad.” Respondents who considered “good” and “very good” ratings were at 29.5 percent. Trust in Polri is in the range of being “exceptionally trustful” and “trustful” at 54.2 percent, far from its comparison to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the prosecutor's office. This condition has decreased compared with results in May when it was at 66.7 percent.

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This public perception began with the Sambo scandal. The scandal attracts public attention compared with other cases because it covers issues of power, property and women. The drama is increasingly attracting public attention.

Sambo and Putri Candrawati, his wife, have become suspects along with Bharada (Second Patrolman) Eliezer, Ricky Rizal and Kuat Maruf. The facts of the case will be presented in court with proof.

One of the prominent factors is the weakness of internal and external supervision, apart from the model and character of Sambo's leadership and the authority of the National Police's Profession and Security Division (Propam).

What lessons can be learned? Recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) should be considered for evaluation of the police. One of the prominent factors is the weakness of internal and external supervision, apart from the model and character of Sambo's leadership and the authority of the National Police's Profession and Security Division (Propam).

Sambo's discretion in ordering the killing of his aide, fabricating and developing story scenarios and obstructing investigations must be seen as internal corrections for the police. Why did all that happen? Komnas HAM recommended the need for internal and external oversight to oversee the investigative function. This function in supervision was "paralyzed,” and so Sambo was free to make up stories.

KOMPAS

The case of Ferdy Sambo reveals another face of the Indonesian Police.

There must be supervision over the investigative authority. The investigative supervisory agency should not be placed under the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department, in order for mutual checks and balances to be open, including the possibility of the presence of outsiders.

There needs to be an appeals agency for subordinates that do not want to carry out orders from their superiors who are clearly violating the law.

The Sambo case provides a lesson on how it is possible for his subordinates to disobey an order. If orders are not obeyed, subordinates will be accused of disobeying their superiors. What if the superior's order is an order that violates the law? There needs to be an appeals agency for subordinates that do not want to carry out orders from their superiors who are clearly violating the law.

The existence of the National Police’s Propam Division must be redefined. It is not possible for all powers of investigation, examination and prosecution of rogue police to be within the scope of Propam. There is a lot of homework for the National Police Chief Gen. (Pol) Listyo Sigit Prabowo to clean up police officers who have no integrity, arrange the police organization and make Polri a precision police force, in accordance with the National Police Chief's vision and mission. The survey shows the public’s confidence in the National Police Chief.

(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo)