National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar expressed his respect toward Tito before a press briefing on Wednesday, saying that he was confident Tito would be able to maintain unity within the institution despite his young age.

“All of us will obey the President’s decision. Thus, the organization will continue to run smoothly after the transfer of leadership,” Boy said.

Tito’s nomination received public attention from the minute House of Representatives Speaker Ade Komaruddin revealed that the House had received an official letter from Jokowi earlier in the day that named Tito as the sole candidate to replace current National Police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti, who will retire by the end of next month.

Tito graduated from the police academy in 1987. He is the youngest of all the eligible three-star police generals who have been touted as candidates to be the country’s next top cop.

Besides Tito, the list also includes Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan, the current National Police deputy chief, National Narcotics Agency (BNN) chief Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso, Police educational institution head Comr. Gen. Syafruddin, National Police security maintenance division head Comr. Gen. Putut Eko Bayuseno, police inspector general Comr. Gen. Dwi Priyatno and National Resilience Institute chief secretary Comr. Gen. Suhardi Alius.

The nomination of a younger police officer over his seniors is the first in the nation’s history. (dmr)

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