REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- One of the state institutions that need prioritized supervision for improvement is the country's police force, sociologist Imam Prasojo said on Saturday.
"Law enforcement agencies must be monitored and made free of corruption first before they enforce laws for other institutions," he said during a discussion.
Prasojo, who is also member of the independent team of experts set up by President Joko Widodo to help find solutions to settle the recent conflict between the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the National Police (Polri), said the police must regain the trust of the public.
If the issue of corruption continues to linger in the police force, it will mean that the institution has failed to win the public's trust, he said.
"News stories about people 'selling land' (to bribe) and in order to become police officers or to get a promotion have to stop. This institution must become a role model for other institutions," Prasojo stated.
He said corruption cases in the police force may spawn corruption in other institutions because one of the police force's tasks is to impart public guidance.
"So, do not sweep the floor with a dirty broom, which means the police must be clean first," he said.
Prasojo also brought up numerous allegations about police involvement in corruption cases, such as the latest allegations involving Commissioner General Budi Gunawan.
He said many police officers have been accused of imposing illegal fines on motorists.
Prasojo said he hoped that after Commissioner General Badrodin Haiti is nominated as the new national police chief by President Joko Widodo to replace Commissioner General Budi Gunawan, there is a change in the police forces' functioning, especially in the implementation of police operations and within the force itself.
To settle the conflict between the KPK and the police that had emerged after Budi Gunawan was named corruption suspect by KPK and KPK Chief Commissioner Abraham Samad and his Deputy Bambang Widjojanto were named suspects in criminal cases, President Joko Widodo had recently decided to cancel Budi Gunawan's nomination as police chief candidate and temporarily dismiss Samad and Widjajanto.
Prasojo hoped that "for the future, a lesson can be drawn from the recent polemic between the KPK and the police, especially with regards to putting the institutions in order so that they can work together again to eradicate corruption that has led to the state suffering considerable losses."
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