Retiring National Police Chief Calls for Unity During Transition
Jakarta. Retiring National Police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti summoned all high-ranking officers on Monday (20/06) to urge them to respect and obey his proposed replacement, Comr. Gen. Tito Karnavian, amid concerns that he might be considered by some to be too young for the position.
If the House of Representatives approves Tito's appointment, he will be one of the youngest four-star generals in the country's history.
Tito, who is currently the chief of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), graduated from the police academy in 1987, leading to concerns that he might not be able to control older senior officers still active in the force.
Among those are graduates of the class of 1983.
"We know the chief of police [Badrodin] has called on all high-ranking officials to respect the president's decision regarding the candidate who will replace Badrodin Haiti," National Police spokesman, Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said.
He added that the National Police will ensure that the transition is uneventful, along with Tito's tenure as the country's next top cop.
"We will respect and obey [the new National Police chief]. We follow principles of loyalty and a structured hierarchy of command. Police officers obey their leaders based on rank, not age," Boy said.
The spokesman said a united National Police is crucial because there are major tasks ahead, including reforms inside the force, labeled by Transparency International Indonesia as one of the country's most corrupt institutions.
Tags: Keywords: