West Papua Police Prepare Special Forces For Security Of The 2024 Election

West Papua Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Tahi Monang Silitonga/ANTARA/Fransiskus Salu Weking.

MANOKWARI - West Papua Regional Police (Polda) has prepared special forces stationed throughout West Papua and Southwest Papua Provinces in the 2024 General Election.

West Papua Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Tahi Monang Silitonga said all police potential would be maximized so that the 2024 democratic party would run safely and peacefully.

"The message from the National Police Chief is to maximize security. There are special forces who are ready to move if something happens," said Daniel as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, July 3.

The National Police, he said, guaranteed the distribution of people's voting rights on voting day by creating a conducive regional situation.

Kapolda said the police also involved traditional leaders, community leaders, religious leaders, and youth leaders in maintaining the conduciveness of the local area.

"All out, the Police always appear and give the best for the community," said Daniel.

He ensured that a number of West Papua Regional Police personnel would later be assigned to all regions to assist the Regional Police in securing the 2024 General Election.

This method, said the Kapolda, is a solution to overcome the limitations of Polri personnel in several Polres ranks, both in West Papua and Southwest Papua.

Thus, all polling stations (TPS) are closely guarded by members of the police, especially areas that have potential vulnerabilities.

"There are no additional personnel from outside, but we are making a temporary rotation," said Daniel.

According to him, the police continue to monitor the development of the situation and security among the community ahead of the election stages.

Daniel said the steps taken were to optimize the role of all Bhayangkara Trustees of Community Security and Order (Bhabinkamtibmas).

According to him, Bhabinkamtibmas not only has an educational and socialization role, but also collects initial intelligence information from the field to be evaluated at each Polres ranks.

"In this election, they (Bhabinkamtibmas) will be given training so that they can gather all the information," said Daniel.

In addition, he said, the West Papua Police are currently conducting a study of the police program in maintaining regional-based security and public order or the RW Police.

"This aims to make the placement of police officers in remote areas (remote areas) have a significant impact on the condition of the security and social order. We are currently reviewing to adjust the geographical conditions in West Papua and Southwest Papua," said Daniel.