The glory days of security officers appearing in military-style uniforms accent and behavior while on duty is apparently coming to an end as security provider companies were barred from using military-style accessories for their products.
National police spokesman Insp. Gen. Nanan Soekarna said 15 security provider companies were given a warning because they were suspected of having abused their uniforms
. He said other five of those companies, which were all located in Jakarta, faced liquidation because they had ignored the police's warning.
"The five companies were given early warning beforehand but apparently not enough attention was given in return. No excuses for them, we are in the process of revoking their operational permits."
The companies were only known from initials, WG, SOS, FP, GN and BN, while the other 10 operate in other provinces such as Jambi, Banten, Yogyakarta, Semarang, he added.
Having a full authority in security and order as it was mandated the Amended 1945 Constitution, the National Police have allowed private companies to train young people to be supplied all sides to help maintain security.
Nanan said the national police had also coordinated with local police to monitor whether or not the companies heeded the warning.
"We will continue monitoring the companies. Once they violate the warning then we will not be hesitating to impose harsh sanctions, namely to revoke their operations permit."
Police Chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri earlier urged security provider companies to stop equipping security guards with military-like accessories and uniforms.
Bambang said all security guards employed in offices, hospitals and other public sites should wear blue and white uniforms and blue field uniforms without any other accessories to avoid public confusion concerning them and their tasks.
Besides the uniforms, there were increasing complaints by residents toward the arrogance of security guards in dealing with public matters.
According to the complaints, security guards have often acted like police officers or even soldiers while on duty.
Commenting on this, Adrianus Meliala from the University of Indonesia said he supported the police's decision to discipline security provider companies, as the decision would help the companies to reformulate internal policies so it is expected that they would prioritize improving the security's quality instead of uniforms.
"I suggest that after disciplining the use of uniforms then the police will ask the companies to improve their skills in helping maintain security," he told The Jakarta Post.
