Simplicity And Vocational Are The First Exemplary Of The National Police Chief, General Soekanto For Indonesian Police

JAKARTA - General Raden Said Soekanto Tjokrodiatmojo's struggle to build the Indonesian police is second to none. The function and technicality of the police is purely his idea. Everything was initiated by Soekanto when President Soekarno was appointed as the first National Police Chief.

His leadership was praised. Soekanto grew up as a smart, honest, and anti-corruption policeman. He didn't want to take anything that wasn't his right. He was willing to live in poverty. This attitude was proven until he retired. He could not buy a house and live from place to place.

Soekanto's experience and dedication in the world of police cannot be doubted. He has even been active as a law enforcer since the Dutch colonial period. He has tried all positions. From traffic police to intelligence.

This experience made him travel to several areas of the Dutch East Indies (now: Indonesia). His services as a law enforcer were needed during the Japanese colonial period. He was asked to become one of the educators at the Sukabumi Police School.

He also educated many young police officers. Hoegeng Imam Santoso is one of them. His career did not end when Indonesia became independent. President Soekarno gave him a big mandate. Soekanto was appointed Head of the State Police Department (now: National Police Chief) on September 29, 1945.

That trust was answered with a breakthrough after a breakthrough. Soekanto became the main figure who fully regulated the functions and technicalities of the police. From intelligence to the Water and Air Police (Polairut).

The position as the first National Police Chief was carried out well. He was able to be a role model for his subordinates. Mainly, regarding honesty and simplicity. There is no story in Soekanto's life that he uses his position to enrich himself. Moreover, taking things that are not his rights.

However, the only thing that can kill his career is politics. He is considered not to support Bung Karno's steps who is familiar with the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). He was removed by Bung Karno from the position of National Police Chief in 1959.

Another formula around the change of Soekanto because President Soekarno himself has a tendency to give fresh air to the PKI by echoing the importance of a nationalist, religious, Communist (Nasakom) united. Soekanto opposed the presence of the PKI in the Indonesian political arena because he still remembered the PKI's barbarity in the PKI rebellion in Madiun in 1948.

Another problem was when President Soekarno married Hartini to get a standing from the Indonesian Women's Congress (Kowani). Hadidjah Lena Mokoginta Soekanto (Soekanto's wife) as Bhayangkari's character actively participated in the demonstration against the marriage," said Achmad Turan et al in the book General Police RS Soekanto: Mr. Indonesian National Police (2000).

Soekanto's life after retiring was not much different when he served as the National Police Chief. His life remains simple if he should not be said to be poor. He even doesn't have a home. He and his family at the time of having to leave the official residence of the National Police Chief on Jalan Diponegoro No.3, Menteng, Central Jakarta. Soekanto chose to rent a house.

At that time, the house that Soekanto rented was on Jalan Pengangsaan Timur No.43. It was also not a luxury house. The house is an old house with all kinds of damage. Soekanto accepted his fate and did not complain much.

Concern actually emerged from his former subordinates. Awaloedin Djamin while serving as National Police Chief 1978-182, for example. He loaned the police official residence in Vila Dorp, Kemang, South Jakarta to be inhabited by Soekanto and his family temporarily.

However, Soekanto had to move back when General Mochammad Sanoesi replaced Awaloedin Djamin as National Police Chief. General Sanoesi gave Soekanto the option to move to the National Police's official complex in Ragunan. The option was accepted with pleasure by Soekanto.

There Soekanto and his family spent the rest of their lives and died in 1993. Soekanto's departure made the house he occupied returned to the Police. Soekanto's departure did not leave much inheritance. Even if there is, the only legacy that Soekanto can give to the nation and state is the presence of the Police.

After retiring, Soekanto faced tough days because as an honest person who adhered to principles, he was poor and had nothing, including a house. His pension is not big, even though he likes to take care of his relatives, adopted children and others. His family in Bogor wants Soekanto to return to Bogor, but he doesn't want to burden his family."

With toughness as a former leader, Soekanto prepared to navigate life as a retired officer, leaving the world of police he has been involved in for 26 years. Soekanto treads the future with his tenacity and determination and that never goes away is his love for the nation, state and homeland. This is reflected in his full-hearted service despite his retirement from the police," explained Awaloedin Djamin and G. Ambar Wulan in the book General Police RS Soekanto (2016).