Police Retirement Age to be Adjusted Again Through the Police Bill

Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas during a meeting of the Polri bill at the parliament complex, Jakarta, Monday, May 25. (Parliamentary Document)

JAKARTA - The government has opened room for re-setting the retirement age limit for members of the National Police in discussing the Police Bill. This issue is one of the important points highlighted by Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas during a meeting with Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives.

According to Supratman, the adjustment of retirement age needs to be discussed as part of the training of professional human resources for the National Police and in accordance with the needs of the organization and the country.

Apart from the issue of retirement age, the government also asked the DPR to regulate the placement of members of the National Police in civilian positions or outside the police structure. This arrangement is considered important so that the position and authority of members of the National Police still have clear limits.

"In principle, the government welcomes and is willing to conduct a more in-depth and comprehensive discussion with the DPR RI," said Supratman in a discussion meeting on the Draft Law on the Third Amendment to Law Number 2 of 2002 concerning the National Police of the Republic of Indonesia at the parliament complex, Jakarta, Monday, May 25, as quoted by Antara.

Supratman said the revision of the Police Law also needed to strengthen the principles of transparency, professionalism, accountability, and humanism in the implementation of police duties.

According to Supratman, the police education curriculum must also be strengthened, especially regarding the protection of human rights, democracy, and the humanist principle. The improvement is considered not enough only in the institutional structure, but also touches on the pattern of education of the apparatus.

The government also encourages the strengthening of the National Police Commission or Kompolnas. The strengthening includes adding tasks and authorities, as well as arranging membership through a more open, transparent, and competency-based mechanism.

Supratman assessed that the Police Law, which has been in force for more than 20 years, needs to be adjusted to legal developments, community needs, technological advances, and transnational crime threats.

"The government's response to this draft law in detail will be submitted in the Inventory of Problems List," he said.

The discussion of the Polri bill is expected to be in the spotlight because it concerns many important issues, ranging from retirement age, supervision, professionalism of the police, to the position of members of the National Police in civil posts.