National Police Chief Affirms Neutrality In Handling Social Conflicts In Society

JAKARTA - National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, emphasized that all police personnel must be neutral and stand above all groups when dealing with or dealing with social conflicts that occur in society.

This neutral attitude, he said, is by the main task of the National Police to protect and serve the community, and can become a figure who can solve problems that occur in the field.

"How the team-mates positioned in the middle position. Colleagues can be mediators, become problem solvers that can be accepted by both parties. This is very important", said the National Police Chief when giving a briefing to all his staff at the National Police Headquarters, South Jakarta, as reported by Antara on Thursday, February 17.

According to him, in handling social conflicts, the Police ranks have guidelines in the form of rules and standard operating procedures (SOPs) which have been regulated in the laws and regulations of the National Police Chief.

These guidelines should be obeyed, considered, and studied by every level of the Indonesian National Police to be applied in how to act when dealing with problems in the field, including social conflicts.

"All the rules are already in the Perkap derived from the Act. It's just a matter of paying attention, learning, and practicing it into a habit that can be carried out when dealing with activities that have problems", he said.

The former head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police also emphasized the importance of internal supervision carried out by the leadership of the National Police in the region to prevent problems due to members' misunderstandings in how to act.

He asked the Head of the Regional Unit to carry out control, surprise inspections, and checks on their members so that the three who went to the field were completely ready with the existing SOPs and rules.

"Because it is this potential that will then cause problems if you are not careful, you are not careful. Things to watch out for, those who are vulnerable when they see that the member's condition is not ready, it's better not to be assigned. Replace with those who are ready", said Sigit.

The former head of the National Police Professional and Security Division also said that all forms of problems would not occur if all police personnel could comply with the rules, act by SOPs, adhere to the principles of legality and proportion, and necessity.

"These principles must be understood so that when colleagues step in they already know what the risks are, what are the risks", he added.

Not only being able to be neutral by obeying the existing rules, but Sigit also emphasized to his staff to dare to take firm action according to the existing rules if the conditions and situations on the ground were not conducive or chaotic.

Every problem that occurs in the field, he continued, has its own dynamics, so the handling pattern must also be different according to the situation.

This action is necessary because the National Police is an institution that ensures the security situation and public order are well maintained.

In addition, all police personnel is also asked to be able to map issues in their respective areas of duty so that they can quickly take a persuasive approach and dialogue with the community.

"Dealing with people or communities, especially those related to development issues, of course, must be done with the power of a very strong dialogue", he said.

Likewise, when dealing with groups that do have plans to carry out anarchic actions, continued Sigit, of course, the method is different.

"So, this is what I ask, not all problems are solved in the same way because they have different levels of difficulty and challenges", said Sigit.

Sigit views it as important for police personnel to know every root cause, local wisdom, and characteristics of each existing area. Thus, all potential problems can be resolved persuasively.

He also asked National Police personnel to understand when to enforce the law and when to maximize persuasive actions.

"I think these teammates must continue to be honed so that the feeling can be achieved. When to take humane steps, when to take decisive steps. Police officers must have courage and firmness but be measured. However, colleagues also have a human touch", said Sigit.