Police Reform Needed

Amid the spotlight on the National Police (Polri) following the murder of Brig. J, another case has emerged of a police officer shooting a fellow officer. Urgent reform is needed in the National Police.

DOKUMENTASI HUMAS POLDA LAMPUNG

Aipda (second adjutant inspector) Rudi Suryanto (39), a suspect in the shooting case against his fellow police officer, Aipda Ahmad Karnain (41) underwent reconstruction in Central Lampung, on Tuesday (6/9/2022).

Aipda (second adjutant inspector) A. Karnain (41) was shot dead at Way Pengubuan Police station in Way Pengubuan district, Central Lampung, by fellow officer, Aipda Rudi Suryanto, who heads the Way Pengubuan Police’s New Service Center. Rudi is also the acting provost at the district police station.

It is thought that a personal grudge was behind the shooting. The suspect is currently being held at the Central Lampung Police. The police confiscated a revolver with five bullets as evidence, as well as one motorcycle and the suspect’s clothing (Kompas, 5/9/2022).

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These two fatal police shootings involving fellow officers have raised public concerns. This does not include the various ethical violations allegedly committed by the police that have been reported through various channels, both internal and external organizations.

President Joko Widodo has called for transparency in investigating Brig. J's case on at least four occasions. If we look at his intention and diction, his statement calls for urgency. The same pressure also came from Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud M.D., and an investigation into the case is ongoing. Ethics hearings for high-ranking police officers who allegedly obstructed justice in Brig. J’s murder case are also underway.

The legal process is also underway in the fatal police shooting involving another policeman in Lampung.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Bhayangkara Dua (Second Agent) E or Richard Eliezer Pudihang Lumiu undergoes reconstruction of the premeditated murder case of Brigadier J or Nofriansyah Yosua at Ferdy Sambo's private house on Jalan Saguling III, South Jakarta, Tuesday (30/8/2022).

What is far more important is not just enforcing the law against those who are guilty, as this case involves the fatal shooting of a fellow police officer, of course, but the comprehensive reform of the National Police so they can truly create a police force that protects and serves the community.

If another fatal police shooting by a fellow officer happens again, critical questions will be raised: If the police cannot protect their own personnel, how can they protect the people?

The state budget allocation for the National Police continues to increase from year to year. It is more than enough capital for the police to create a police force that protects the people. According to data from the Finance Ministry, the projected 2023 budget for the National Police is around Rp 107.76 trillion (US$7.23 billion). This figure is bigger than the Rp 102.25 trillion allocated in the 2021 state budget and the Rp 100.37 trillion allocated in the 2020 state budget.

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The government's trust in the National Police, which can be seen from the increasing budget, should be answered with greater professionalism.

“Polri PRESISI", the slogan of National Police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, which means Predictive, Responsible and Transparent Justice, must be implemented in practice so that "PRESISI" does not remain a mere slogan. It takes hard work from all members of the National Police to make this a reality, of course with guidance, supervision, and examples from the National Police chief.

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.