Breaking News: Corrupt Brigadier Sacked After Defrauding Aspiring Police Recruits of Rp 900 Million
Jogja – The fortunes of a corrupt brigadier from the Pompealang Police Resort (Polres) have taken a dramatic turn following his sacking in the wake of a Rp 900 million scam targeting aspiring police recruits. The brigadier, identified by his initials WT, now stands dismissed from the force following a disciplinary hearing by the Police Code of Ethics Commission (KKEP).
Led by Police Commissioner Pranata, acting as KKEP chief, the hearing was convened at the Pompealang Police Resort’s tribune, late Wednesday afternoon (8/1). WT, already in the dock on fraud charges, received the punishment of ‘dismissal without honour’ (PTDH).
Confirming the development, Police Sergeant Widodo Apriyanto, head of Pompealang Polres information, revealed that the hearing had indeed meted out the harshest penalty. However, he demurred on details about the specific ethical code violated.
"Brigadier WT indeed stood found guilty of violating the ethical code for police professionals," Apriyanto confirmed, "This stern action underscores Pompealang Polres’ commitment to upholding police integrity and professionalism."
WT’s removal took immediate effect upon the sentence’s delivery. Meanwhile, the scandal’s primary victim, Suratmo, expressed grim acceptance, having been repeatedly fleeced in the name of convoys allegedly ordered by Pompealang’s chief of police (Kapolres) or even the regional police chief (Kapolda).
"My pleas hailed all the way to the Kapolda," Suratmo sighed, "I dare say, acquiring ‘ongkos’ (fees) for them became WT’s handy euphemism."
Their encounter started innocently enough. Suratmo merely sought help to enlist his two sons in the police force. WT, however, took advantage of the situation, promising assistance for a price.
"I asked, ‘Sir, do my sons stand a chance of becoming policemen?’" Suratmo reproduced his past conversation with WT, "And he retorted, ‘Well, what assets do they bring to the table? Sawah (rice field), house, or anything to sell for their happiness’."
Handed such ‘reasoning’, Suratmo and his wife ultimately sold their 2.6-hectare rice field for around Rp 1 billion. Hoping for the best, they dutifully remitted the agreed Rp 900 million through WT.
Unfortunately, their sons flunked the recruitment test and no higher-ups seemed to know of WT’s extortions. Until today, Suratmo clings to hope, desperate for a refund.
In the end, WT’s predation contributed to a major recruitment scandal, incurring losses for victims and the institution alike. May this stern sentence serve as a potent warning against such future abuses.
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