Amid public controversy over two prominent police assault incidents in the area, Depok Police have made a surprising move by transferring two precinct chiefs, whose officers were involved in the incidents, to unnamed posts.
Adj. Comr. Sukardi and Adj. Comr. Joko Suryono were transferred Saturday from their previous posts as Beji and Limo Police precinct chief, respectively, during an official ceremony at Depok Police headquarter.
Depok Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Saidal Mursalin, however, denied rumors the transfer was punishment for the two police chiefs’ inability to control their subordinates.
“There is no relationship [between the transfer and the assaults]. It’s just a regular tour of duty,” Saidal told reporters after the transfer ceremony.
When he was asked, Saidal declined to comment on where Sukardi and Joko would be posted, saying he could only answer after Depok Police’s administration unit completed the transfer plan.
In November, a group of 10 Limo Police officers raided a house and arrested several minivan drivers for allegedly gambling on the premises.
During the raid, one of the officers shot Subagyo, a minivan driver, for allegedly attempting to flee.
Subagyo died en route to hospital.
Witnesses, most of whom were friends of the victim, said the shooting was completely unwarranted since the house raided had only one exit, which the police had already secured.
On Nov. 24, during a closed-door hearing, the 10 police officers were given two- to three-week prison sentences for excessive use of force during the arrest.
After serving their sentences, seven of the officers, including First. Brig. Iwan Sarjana, the officer who shot Subagyo, were transferred to other posts.
The following month, Beji Police officers were involved in another assault incident.
J.J. Rizal, a history researcher and the director of cultural organization Komunitas Bambu, reported to city police on Dec. 6 that he was beaten and threatened at gunpoint by four Beji Police officers near Depok Town Square shopping mall the previous night. It was alleged later that the plainclothes officers had mistakenly stopped Rizal, whom they assumed was the suspect they were seeking.
Rizal said he suffered a cut lip, two contusions on his head, an bruised jaw, and ringing in the ears.
The four officers were given one- to three-week sentences for violating arrest procedures.
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