T

he head of the National Police's internal affairs department, Insp. Gen. Oegroseno, is not as famous as his senior in rank, Comr. Gen. Susno Duadji. But when Susno, dressed in formal police attire, told a court hearing that National Police chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri was involved in a conspiracy to frame convicted murder mastermind Antasari Azhar, Oegroseno was the only one who put his foot down, saying that Susno should be tried before a disciplinary court. His colleagues, including the chief, maintained that Susno did not violate any code of ethics. Talking to The Jakarta Post's Dicky Christanto, Oegroseno, who will head North Sumatra Police, shared his thoughts about sticking to his principles. Here are the excerpts:

Question: How do you feel about questioning your peers or seniors?

Answer: I pay serious attention to my manners when I have to question my peers or senior officers. To my senior officers, I always request their permission each time I ask a question. By asking questions in this way, they know that I still respect their seniority.

I have my own way of assessing the integrity of their answers. Usually, I repeat the same question if I suspect something. I then raise my tone when I feel that this person, whoever he may be, is underestimating me in any way. It usually works.

When handling Susno's case, it was obvious that you shared a different view from the others. How do you explain that?

I have nothing to explain. However, I believe that questioning Susno would be the only way to determine his innocence in this case. Apparently, without my knowledge, another team made the decision to acquit him (without questioning him first).

Have you ever received complaints from your colleagues regarding your uncompromising behavior?

Yes I have. It happened when I was still a middle-ranked officer and was posted with the Jakarta Police. At the time, several senior officers told me that I would never pass the senior commissioner rank given my attitude.

Allah be praised, it did not happen. Now I am a two-star general.

There are times when I can avoid conflict with many of my colleagues and seniors. Thus, if I have the choice, I would prefer not to create conflict. But my career has proven that there are times when your courage is challenged and that could mean sharing a different view from your colleagues and seniors.

Usually, in times like this, I prefer to risk my career rather than violate my own conscience. The Tibo case is solid proof of that.

(Fabianus Tibo, Dominggus Da Silva and Marinus Riwu received death sentences for torture and murder in religious conflicts in restive Poso, Central Sulawesi, where Oegroseno was police chief.)

In Tibo's case, why did you insist on postponing the execution despite objections from you superiors?

I noticed the investigation of the three was not conducted properly. There was evidence neglected by the officers who handled the investigation. Therefore, I ordered my subordinates to reopen the investigation. But then I learnt that it was not in line with orders from the then National Police chief.

What is your family's take on this?

I gave them a choice: Do you want me to be demoted or have a stroke instead? They preferred I be demoted instead of being struck by a severe illness. My family decided they would support my decision.

Now that you are about to leave your current post as head of the internal affairs division, what are your priorities for your new post?

I am deeply concerned with environmental issues. I would prioritize law enforcement of the environment.

What are your expectations for your successor in the internal affairs division?