NCJ Number
191414
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies and Management Volume: 24 Issue: 3 Dated: 2001 Pages: 420-431
Date Published
2001
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article discusses policing in Indonesia, with emphasis on the influence of the police’s longstanding role as part of the military.
Abstract
The Indonesian police (Polri) are unique in that they have long been part of the military, as well as being an extension of the government. Polri has had three problems since the police joined the military and assumed a paramilitary policing style. These problems include a weakness as law enforcers, a poor quality of policing, and an unhealthy relationship with the public. These problems originate largely with the inclusion of the police in the armed forces and the value conflicts between police work and war-related activities. Soldiers are trained to kill to prevent themselves from being killed, whereas police are urged to use minimum violence because the use of violence would lead to legal scrutiny. Consequently, ambiguity and uncertainty can arise over appropriate ways to respond in various social contexts. Returning the police to civilian status would resolve many problems. The current government agreed to change the status of the police and has taken an initial and preliminary step. The police need further changes to become autonomous and independent as well as professional. Appended list of acronyms and abbreviations and 25 references (Author abstract modified)