Striving For An International Level of Security

(7/14/2003)

Bali's Chief of Police, Irjen Made Mangku Pastika, speaking at a seminar on "Bali's Tourism Recovery" held at the Santika Beach Hotel on Tuesday, July 8, 2003, outlined his vision and ongoing efforts to create a security situation in Bali that conforms to international best practice.

As one of the initial steps taken since he assumed office in late April, Chief Pastika, working together with the local hotel industry, is introducing a revamped security system for all hotels expected to be fully operational in August. Working together with the local hotels on training and coordination issues, a special team of police officers are conducting surveys of all major hotels to familiarize themselves with the various hotel facilities and the personnel who operate them.

Bali's top cop also explained how he has taken concrete steps to increase the effectiveness and visibility of those under his command. While previously some 3,000 officers were attached to the Denpasar headquarters, now some 2,000 of that total have been re-assigned to sub-precincts across the entire island. An emphasis is also being placed on providing foreign language training to the police and assigning members of the force to areas of the island where tourist congregate. This has included the assignment of police officers along Kuta's beach front with skills in lifesaving. According to Chief Pastika, "We strive to create security and peace of mind for both the tourists and those who live in Bali."

During the seminar, Chief Pastika outlined his three-stage strategic plan to create a sense of well-being and security for visiting tourists, a standardization of security practice on the island that conforms to international standards, and the acceleration of the process of restoring public order on the island.

No Nonsense Style of Policing

Bali's Police Chief also used the seminar to report on his ongoing efforts to rebuild the Bali police force from the inside out. He pledged that those under his command who violate rules or abuse their authority will be disciplined without reference to rank or position. To underline his point he told those attending the seminar of three ranking officers at Police Headquarters recently removed from their positions for being derelict in the performance of their assignments.