ID :
31148
Wed, 11/19/2008 - 21:42
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/31148
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ANTI-HOODLUM OPERATIONS NOT TO LEAD TO 'PETRUS' KILLINGS : POLICE
Jakarta, Nov 19 (ANTARA) - The nation-wide operations launched by police since early this month to crack down on street crime will not lead to the killing of hoodlums in extra-judicial ways such as were practiced in the 1980s and became publicly known as 'Petrus' (execution by mysterious snipers), a senior police officer said.
"We want to tell those who raise concern the operations will not lead to the 'petrus' practice. These are operations to restore public order, there was no petrus," head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police Headquarters, Commissioner General Susno Duaji said here on Wednesday.
He said every member of the police force must adhere to certain procedures in using firearms. Police officers would not use firearms wantonly. "There are standard procedures, so the public need not be concerned," he said.
About white-collar criminals, the police's chief investigator said that police would not be afraid in taking actions against whoever violated the law.
Recently, the Indonesian Police Watch (IPW) raised concern that the operations could revive the 'petrus' practice once carried out in the 1980s.
"The order to crack down on street gangsters could be misunderstood by officers in the field which could lead to the petrus practice," Neta S Pane of IPW said.
In the 1981-1983 period, the government adopted a short-cut policy by fielding teams to locate or pursue suspected hoodlums and shoot them to death on the spot in an effort to improve security in the streets.
It was believed that hundreds of hoodlums died in this way with their dead bodies left uncared for at the scene of their execution.
Until the middle of this month, a total of 3,184 goons have been arrested. After questioning, however, only 369 were detained for further legal process. They were involved in cases of extortion, robbery, snatcher actions and other street crimes.
The police have been launching nation-wide anti-hoodlum operations since early this month.
"We want to tell those who raise concern the operations will not lead to the 'petrus' practice. These are operations to restore public order, there was no petrus," head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police Headquarters, Commissioner General Susno Duaji said here on Wednesday.
He said every member of the police force must adhere to certain procedures in using firearms. Police officers would not use firearms wantonly. "There are standard procedures, so the public need not be concerned," he said.
About white-collar criminals, the police's chief investigator said that police would not be afraid in taking actions against whoever violated the law.
Recently, the Indonesian Police Watch (IPW) raised concern that the operations could revive the 'petrus' practice once carried out in the 1980s.
"The order to crack down on street gangsters could be misunderstood by officers in the field which could lead to the petrus practice," Neta S Pane of IPW said.
In the 1981-1983 period, the government adopted a short-cut policy by fielding teams to locate or pursue suspected hoodlums and shoot them to death on the spot in an effort to improve security in the streets.
It was believed that hundreds of hoodlums died in this way with their dead bodies left uncared for at the scene of their execution.
Until the middle of this month, a total of 3,184 goons have been arrested. After questioning, however, only 369 were detained for further legal process. They were involved in cases of extortion, robbery, snatcher actions and other street crimes.
The police have been launching nation-wide anti-hoodlum operations since early this month.
