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Jokowi's mass reprimand: Can we count on reform for police that protect and serve?
Public trust in the National Police has never been lower, and while it might be a stretch, we can still hope that “Friday the 14th” has scared some elements of the police force into taking baby steps toward real reform.
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High- and middle-ranking police officers stand in line to enter the State Palace in Jakarta, on Oct. 14, 2022, when President Joko Widodo invited and reprimanded 559 top brass from the national to district levels. (Antara/Sigid Kurniawan)
F
riday the 14th was a day of horror for the National Police. Earlier that day, a two-star general who had just received a big career promotion was arrested by a fellow officer for allegedly selling 5 kilograms of confiscated crystal meth. Just hours later, the joint fact-finding team held the police responsible for the 132 soccer fans who were killed during the Oct. 1 stampede and crush at Kanjuruhaan Stadium in Malang, East Java.
The public is only worried that more scandals involving the police will be revealed, believing that the two damning cases are just the tip of the iceberg.
Perhaps due to growing concern over the plummeting reputation of the police force, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo summoned 559 high- and middle-ranking police officers to the State Palace on Friday afternoon and scolded them.
Those summoned were generals at National Police Headquarters, provincial police chiefs and district chiefs, and they were told to leave their mobile phones, official caps and batons outside the meeting’s venue. Their adjutants were also prohibited from accompanying them. For me, this is a psychological move from the President to demonstrate his control over the police force.
Citing the results of a public opinion survey, Jokowi told those gathered that public distrust in the police was at its lowest. The people had complained about pungli (illegal levies) and other forms of extortion committed by police officers.
The President then called on the police to stop arbitrary and repressive measures, “entrapping” people for extortive purposes and lavish lifestyles. He also ordered the police to improve their solidarity with the Indonesian Military (TNI) especially in preparing for the 2024 elections.
“Do not show off because you have a luxury car or an expensive, big motorcycle. Be careful. I remind you again to be careful. The current technology has changed social interaction,” said Jokowi. “I have also ordered the National Police chief to clean up online gambling […] You all know the instruction and law enforcement related to drugs.”
