Bagus BT Saragih, Jakarta – As the government institution perceived to be the most corrupt, according to a survey, the police apparently have no curriculum concerning anticorruption in their training centers, a discussion heard Sunday.
Bina Nusantara University criminologist Reza Indragiri Amriel said the lack of education focusing on integrity played a significant role in the degraded service by police officers.
The police have been a target of criticism for corruption that is prevalent at all levels – from small payouts for traffic violations to a police general's Rp 95 billion (US$10.45 million) stash, allegedly sourced from illegal sources.
"I know of no serious efforts by the National Police to provide education concerning anticorruption efforts.
"In fact, the [police] education centers have acted as 'safe houses' for troubled high-ranking police officers or 'rest stops' for officers to round out their career before retiring," he said.
The police have five education centers: the State Police School, the Police Academy, School for Leadership (Sespim), Advanced School for Middle-ranking Officers (Selapa), School for High-ranking Officers (Sespati), and the Indonesian Institute of Police Science (PTIK).
Legislator Nasir Djamil of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) echoed Reza's opinion, saying a good education system would produce clean police officers.
"We can raise budgets for the police or raise their salaries, but it wouldn't be effective if they have no integrity.
"Lower-ranking officers model themselves on their direct superiors. If their bosses are corrupt, poorly-educated officers will be as well," he said.
PTIK lecturer Bambang Widodo Umar acknowledged the imperfect police education system.
He said there had been multiple attempts by police to reform, but none were successful due to the lack of seriousness.
"In 1980, under the leadership of Gen. Awaluddin Djamin, the police made significant changes in order to reform the force. But it only lasted a few years. The police today are no better than in the 1980s," Bambang said.