Kapolrestabes Fired For Accepting Bribes, Expert: To Protect Police Prestige

North Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General RZ Panca Putra Simanjuntak/PHOTO: Satria H-VOI

JAKARTA - Executive Director of the Indonesian Police Strategic Studies Institute (Lemkapi) Dr Edi Hasibuan said the removal of the Medan Police Chief Kombes Pol Riko Sunarko was carried out to protect the dignity of the Police. "Edi said in a written statement in Jakarta, Sunday, January 23. Based on the Police Propam examination, said Edi, the Medan Police Chief was removed not for accepting bribes but for abuse of authority and inability to supervise his subordinates, thus violating the police's professional code of ethics. According to police law experts at Bhayangkara University In Jakarta, this dismissal shows that there were problems in leadership and supervision by Riko when he was the Medan Police Chief, resulting in abuse of authority.

"Supervision that is not carried out properly can be seen by the community as neglecting the Narcotics Investigation Unit," he said. "This is the same as telling subordinates to abuse their authority," he said. Edi invited all ranks of the National Police to continue to improve professionalism and supervision of their staff. This case emerged to the public when the Medan District Court, some time ago, held a drug case trial by presenting witness Bripka Ricardo, a former member of the Medan Polrestabes Narcotics Investigation. During the trial, Ricardo stated that there was a cash flow of Rp. 300 million to Medan Polrestabes officials from the wife of a drug dealer. Medan Police Chief Riko was also involved in the case. Meanwhile, North Polda Kapolda Inspector General RZ Panca Putra Simanjuntak said Riko Sunarko was not proven to have accepted bribes from the drug dealer's wife. Rp13 million as a gift to Koramil members who managed to uncover marijuana. However, Riko only paid Rp. 7 million, while the remaining Rp. 6 million was paid by Oloan Siahaan. paragraph (2) point (a) National Police Chief Regulation Number 14 of 2011 concerning the Police Professional Code of Ethics," said Panca in a written statement in Jakarta, Saturday (22/1).