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Richard Eliezer’s demotion draws mixed responses
The National Police ethics panel’s decision to demote Richard Eliezer, who participated in but also helped expose the murder plot of fellow police officer, as a requirement for keeping him in the force has attracted mixed responses, while obstruction of justice trials related to the murder case continues.
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Second Agent Richard Eliezer arrives at the South Jakarta District Court on Feb. 15 to hear the verdict for his role in the premeditated murder of Brig. Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat. (Antara/Sigid Kurniawan)
T
he National Police ethics panel’s decision to demote Richard Eliezer, who participated in but also helped expose the murder plot of a fellow police officer, as a requirement for keeping him in the force has attracted mixed responses, while obstruction of justice trials related to the murder case continues.
The ethics hearing on Wednesday was conducted behind closed doors, with the panel sanctioning Richard to a one-year demotion to an administrative support role at the headquarters service (Yanma) division. As part of his punishment, Richard is also required to express his remorse to the ethics council and write an apology letter to National Police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
Eight witnesses presented their testimonies during the hearing. Then-police internal affairs chief Ferdy Sambo, who last week was sentenced to death by a criminal court for masterminding the murder of aide-de-camp Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat, did not attend in person but had his statement delivered and read out during the hearing.
“The police ethics commission, as the division in charge, is of the opinion that the suspected offender could maintain his position within the National Police," National Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ahmad Ramadhan said on Wednesday in a press conference after the ethics hearing.
But analyst at the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies (ISESS) Bambang Rukminto warns that the decision to allow Richard to remain within the police corps could set a bad precedent.
“Logically, punishment for law enforcement officials should be harsher than to civilians. If the police prove to be permissive on [their members] who broke the law, will law enforcement efforts still be effective?” Bambang told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
Bambang referred to Government Regulation (PP) No.1/2003 on the discharge of a police officer, which states that a police officer will be dishonorably discharged if proven guilty of committing a criminal act.
