“They have undergone intensive questioning by investigators from the National Police’s internal affairs division [Propam],” the police’s spokesperson Brig. Gen. Rikwanto told journalists in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The alleged crime was discovered after investigators from Propam and the Saber Pungli illegal levies eradication task force confiscated Rp 4.7 billion (US$ 352,667.79) from eight personnel of the South Sumatra Police. They were accused of taking bribes from police member applicants for the recruitment period for 2015-2016. The number of police officers implicated in the crime later increased to 15 people.

Rikwanto said investigators were still gathering evidence from documents of the police candidate selection process. Propam personnel are now fully handling the case.

“It aims to give shock therapy to other police personnel organizing candidate recruitment. We hope there will be no more members taking advantage in our personnel recruitment process,” Rikwanto said.

He said the police officers would face sanctions for violating discipline and code of ethics. “They could be demoted, lose the chance of promotions or face difficulties in receiving promotions. In the worst case, they could be dismissed without honor,” he said. (dis/ebf)

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