Bambang takes over top cop job

Fri, 10/10/2008 10:49 AM  |  National

Retired Gen. Sutanto officially handed over his command to the new National Police chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri (right, photo above) on Thursday in a ceremony at the Mobile Brigade Headquarters in Kelapa Dua, Depok, West Java.

The change in command marks Bambang's first day in his new post. Previously, he served as chief of the National Police's Criminal Investigation Unit.

Among those attending the ceremony were the House of Representatives' Commission III members, State Secretary Hatta Radjasa, Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo Adi Sucipto, National Resilience Institute Governor Muladi and foreign representatives including Police Counsellor at the New Zealand Embassy Athol Soper (left, photo above).

In his speech, Bambang promised to push for institutional reform within the police, as well as to maintain police neutrality during next year's elections. He reaffirmed that "the police would not be siding with certain groups during the general elections".

He said he would improve the management of police finances and take action against disgraced officers.

"We will evaluate our programs every three months," Bambang said.

Bambang was sworn in by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Sept. 30 after he passed a fit-and-proper test by lawmakers. He was the President's sole candidate for the post. -- JP/Dian Kuswandini

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