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Fears of repression as police move to repurpose civil security apparatus
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A security guard checks the temperature of a visitor at the entrance to a mall in South Jakarta while others line up to wash their hands. Private security guards are now expected to wear brown uniforms with rank badges, which brings them closer in line with the look of police officers. (JP/Arief Suhardiman)
T
he National Police recently moved to regulate the civil security apparatus by issuing National Police Chief Regulation No. 4/2020 on private security (Pam Swakarsa), which critics decry for creating the potential for abuse of power and repression.
National Police chief Gen. Idham Azis signed the regulation last month, stipulating that civilian security actors such as private security guards (Satpam) and members of the community watch (Satkamling) can be called upon to help the police maintain security and public order.
They are not to be confused with the homonymous paramilitary groups that operated in the last years of the New Order.
Private security guards, who previously wore white uniforms for day shifts and navy blue uniforms for night shifts, will also be required to wear brown uniforms with rank badges, bringing them more in line with police officers.
According to the regulation, members of the public can initiate a Satkamling program and register themselves with their local police precinct. They will be required to wear white uniforms while on duty, and are given the authority to maintain public order – including through nonjudicial measures.
Additionally, local security actors such as pecalang (traditional Balinese guards), secondary and tertiary education students with police training and members of vigilance committees can register as Satkamling with the approval of the National Police’s security maintenance agency (Baharkam).
Critics have been quick to denounce the police chief regulation, with some insisting that those who are approved by the police to be part of the Pam Swakarsa movement are prone to abusing their authority, especially if left without proper supervision.
