Jakarta – Indonesia Corruption Watch has called on National Police chief candidate Comr. Gen. Tito Karnavian to make it his priority, if he is appointed, to improve the public image of the law-enforcement institution.
"Efforts to improve the image of the National Police have been stagnant. We often hear about and see police officers extorting money from members of the public and there are even videos that show them asking for bribes related to traffic offences," ICW coordinator Adnan Topan Husodo said in Jakarta on Saturday (18/06).
According to Adnan, Tito's role will be crucial in this regard if he is appointed as the nation's top cop. He said law enforcement in Indonesia will be effective and efficient if the institution is above reproach regarding officers' integrity.
"The more fundamental strategic role of the police chief in the reform agenda is the effort to eradicate corruption from within the institution," Adnan said.
He added that this would be no walk in the park for Tito and that it would a take long time to root out such a deep-rooted culture of corruption.
"There will be resistance from within, especially with seniority issues and powerful factions inside the police, each with its own interests. Therefore, Tito will need political support from Jokowi," Adnan said, referring to President Joko Widodo by his popular nickname.
If the House of Representatives approves the president's pick, Tito will be inaugurated as National Police chief after the incumbent, Gen. Badrodin Haiti, retires at the end of July.