The National Police Makes Police Rules Using Social Media At The Moment Of The 2024 Election

National Police Chief General Pol Listyo Sigit Prabowo after a plenary meeting related to security ahead of Christmas 2023 and New Year 2024 at the Jakarta Presidential Palace Complex, Monday, December 11, 2023. (ANTARA/HO-president.go.id)

JAKARTA - National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo ordered all his staff to wisely use social media as stated in the Official Telegram Letter Number 2407 which was issued in October 2023.

Karo Wabprof of the National Police's Propam Division, Brigadier General Pol Agus Wijayanto, explained that the policy was a form of maintaining the neutrality of the National Police in the 2024 General Election stage.

"First, we have to know the signs first, the Law and Perpol (Police Regulation) exist and clarify the activities of practical political (ban) issues with the Chief of Police's Telegram Letter. That has been made by Telegram Number 2407 of October. How was it prohibited by the police on social media," Agus said in his statement, Sunday, December 17, quoted by Antara.

He explained that all members of the National Police are prohibited from taking pictures with presidential and vice presidential candidates. In addition, members of the National Police are also prohibited from commenting on photos of candidate pairs on social media.

Agus explained that members of the National Police are prohibited from taking selfies with poses that have the potential to accuse the Police of taking sides with political parties, promoting, responding, disseminating images of candidate pairs via media, online, and social.

"Including photo poses with fingers, in the past, if there was an batch, whether it was a non-commissioned officer, an officer, there was an batch, it was not allowed," he said.

He explained that the National Police's Propam Division has a way to carry out various efforts to maintain the neutrality of police officers. In fact, according to him, various videos using the figure of "Pak Bhabin" have been disseminated to serve as reminders to all ranks.

"One of them is preemptive, this is to go inside first, the first Propam personnel is to increase piety to God Almighty," he said.

In addition, according to him, the leadership example is prioritized in maintaining the neutrality of the Police and then there is briefing and briefing on the discipline of the members.

"Continue to make instructions to the ranks, what is permissible and what is not allowed other than there is a law, there is a Perpol regulation," he said.

Agus explained that the National Police Propam carried out early detection to maintain neutrality in the 2024 General Election, one of which was by carrying out cyber patrol activities.

According to him, in the election stage, Propam Polri is inherent in monitoring so that when there is repressive action, a special team for handling neutrality from the Paminal Bureau, Provos Bureau, Wabprof Bureau will follow up.

He said not only members of the National Police, the families of the police who contested the 2024 General Election had also been regulated in the telegram letter. According to him, the National Police has recorded the families of the police who are advancing in the contestation in the 2024 General Election.

"There are legislative candidates, starting from the district, provincial DPRD to the DPR RI, we have data, to date the number is approximately 1,300 more about the data," he said.

He said that although there were family members who participated in the 2024 General Election, members of the National Police were still not allowed to be involved in practical activities and misuse existing facilities.

According to him, if it is found that a member is suspected of not being neutral, the National Police will first clarify to a number of parties. If a violation is found later, there will be a follow-up from the National Police Propam.

Then, a case will be held to determine the category of violations committed, if the category of serious violations is given, then sanctions up to dishonorable dismissal (PTDH).

"Mr. Kadiv Propam has given a grace period and we have discussed that the 14-day code of ethics violation has been completed. For ASN violations 7 days after the LP has been completed, this is what we are doing that we are really serious about handling neutrality," he said.