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As public trust dwindles, officers become targets
In 2013, the National Police saw 27 officers killed and 72 others injured on duty, with some falling victim to public outrage at the forceâs actions
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n 2013, the National Police saw 27 officers killed and 72 others injured on duty, with some falling victim to public outrage at the force's actions.
Indonesian Police Watch (IPW) data shows from 72 slain officers, 47 were killed by mobs. The number is higher than the 11 officers who were shot and killed by terrorist groups, separatist groups or criminals.
The latest victim was First Brig. Sudaryo, a traffic officer of Keerom Police Office in Jayapura, Papua. On Dec. 13, Sudaryo and his team warned local thugs who were extorting motorists in Arso Kota, Keerom. In response, the thugs chased and hurled stones at the police officers. Sudaryo was beaten to death by the mob.
'The attacks reflect that less people respect the police's authority. Many civilians aren't hesitant about taking the law into their own hands,' IPW chairman Neta S. Pane said on Sunday.
Neta pointed out that some of the 47 slain officers were killed by individuals claiming to be members of mass organizations.
Aside from local thugs and mass organization members, the IPW recorded instances of motorists assaulting police officers over traffic offences.
On Nov. 29, hundreds of residents hurled stones at the Buol Police headquarters in protest against police confiscating 15 motorcycles during a traffic operation. The attack damaged a mosque and a security post at the headquarters.
The situation returned to normal after the police agreed to hand the 15 motorcycles back to their respective owners.
In Bandung, West Java, a motorcyclist, Holil, attacked three police officers with a knife after being ordered to pull over during a traffic operation.
A police investigation suspected that Holil launched the attack as he was annoyed by being ticketed several times by the police.
'The police are perceived as a messed-up law enforcement institution. The force is disrespected by some. So when police try to enforce the law, people see it as an annoying thing,' said Adrianus Meliala, a criminologist at the University of Indonesia (UI), on Sunday.
The corruption of some police officials has fueled public distrust of the force.
This year, a Transparency International Indonesia (TII) opinion poll listed the National Police as the most corrupt institution. The poll questioned 1,000 respondents in five major cities.
