Rp 2 million only

It has become a public secret people are reluctant to report losses to police since there are no guarantees their belongings will ever be returned. Ironically, it is almost certain they will suffer further losses as police officers frequently ask for money to finance their investigations. Therefore, it is not a joke when people say, "don't report the loss of your goat if you don't want to lose your cow."

Police asking for money from victims of crimes (or from anyone else) is no doubt illegal. In reality, however, this is a common practice. Their argument is that the state only allocate a maximum of Rp 2 million (US$200) for each crime investigation, which is certainly not enough to investigate major cases.

"Of course it's not enough. What if suspects have left town? Rp 2 million would only be enough to pay for a single return plane ticket with no accommodation, meals or other expenses. For major crime investigations, budgets go over Rp 8 million," said Bekasi Police chief Sr. Comr. Mas Guntur Lupe, as quoted by The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

This situation is really unhealthy for many reasons. First, asking for money from victims of crimes is not only illegal for police, but also deplorable because victims thus suffer double - first with their initial loss and then again when they have to pay police to investigate their case.

Under such conditions, it is feared police prioritize cases involving richer individuals because poorer people may not be able to pay the "extra" costs.

Second, such practices are illegal. But there are apparently no institutions able to stop it because the state fails to meet their demand. How could we expect the police to do their job professionally, while they are often *tolerated' to commit wrongdoings, such as taking illegal levies?

This could also become an excuse for the police to commit acts of corruption, because there are no guarantees the police would only once ask for money to finance their operations. What if police asked for more from crime victims? What if they blackmailed the victims to return for their missing belongings?

We call on the government and the House of Representatives to take this issue seriously during the deliberations on budget allocations for the national police because it is impossible to demand the police end such illegal practices and act professionally if the state is still unable to provide them with adequate financing and resources.