National Police Review Addition Of Anti-terror Detachment 88 Personnel

JAKARTA - The National Police is reviewing the addition of personnel to strengthen the Special Detachment (Densus) 88 Anti-terror in dealing with criminal acts of terrorism.

"Ideally, Densus will be added by 1,500 to 2,000 people throughout Indonesia, then it will be studied", said Head of the Public Relations Division of the National Police, Inspector General Dedi Prasetyo, as quoted by Antara on Wednesday, February 16.

According to Dedi, the increase in the number of Densus personnel is part of the plan of the National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who wants to develop the organizational structure of the National Police Anti-terror Detachment 88 to improve its performance in dealing with terrorism.

Currently, the National Police's Anti-terror Detachment 88 has 3,701 personnel. With this addition, later, this personnel will be deployed in regional task forces (Satgaswil) throughout Indonesia, so that they can maximally mitigate acts of terrorism. Currently, further calculations are being carried out regarding the number of planned additions.

"To be more optimal in mitigating acts of terrorism", he said.

Previously, National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, at a senior level meeting of the Anti-terror Detachment 88 Police in Bali, expressed his desire to increase the number of Densus 88 personnel to double the current number.

"The number of personnel is 3,701, I hope it will grow and can be doubled", said Sigit.

According to him, with the addition of the number of personnel, the National Police Anti-terror Detachment 88 has sufficient strength in dealing with terrorism, including being supported by the budget, facilities, and infrastructure, as well as its capabilities.

One of the capabilities is expected to have a role in monitoring the development of terrorism on an international scale.

Strengthening personnel and infrastructure to prepare the National Police Anti-terror Detachment 88 in facing the challenges and dynamics that occur in the current era of globalization.

Sigit also hopes that the National Police's Anti-terror Detachment 88 will be able to adapt to the development of information technology (IT), which can be used by terrorist groups to expand their influence.

The four-star general also appreciated the performance of Densus 88 Anti-terror, which had a double effect on the Indonesian nation, which had an impact on increasing stability, security, and public order (Kamtibmas).

Throughout 2020, the National Police Anti-terror Detachment 88 carried out law enforcement by arresting 232 terrorism suspects. Then in 2021, that number will increase to 370 people.