The Indonesian National Police was formerly part of the military, though the two entities separated in 1999. The Indonesian National Police is responsible for law enforcement and policing duties all over Indonesia. The headquarters, known as Makas Besar/Mabes in Indonesia, is located in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta near the National Police Museum.
Tucked away behind one of South Jakarta's busiest and noisiest roads is a small village home to the city's police officers.
The community is referred to as Asmama and houses policemen, their wives, and children.
The police block offers a community of support for officers and their families. Although the officers are still required to pay rent, the accomodation is offered at a significantly subsided cost. Inside the quarters is a mosque for daily prayer, small stores and businesses – including a mechanic who services the motorbikes used by police.
The children of the block often attend the same school and grow up together as though they are an extended family. Until the children reach school age, they spend time playing with one another and helping their mothers with domestic duties. The quarters' offer a safe environment for children to wander and explore.
In Indonesian culture, it is a social norm for husbands to economically provide for his wife and whole family. This often leaves the household duties, such as cooking, cleaning, and raising children exclusively to women.
Hundreds of law-enforcers live inside tiny and colourful homes. The homes are generally a simple room, which is used simultaneously as a kitchen, bedroom, living room, and for storage. These small spaces can fit up to six family members. The petite living spaces are a normality for families throughout Indonesia.
The key tasks of the Indonesian National Police are to maintain security and public order, enforce the law, and provide protection and service to the community.
Living in such close proximity to their headquarters enables the police officers to be available at all hours of the day and night.
Constable Asha has been working for the Indonesian National Police force for thirty-two years. He works up to 105 hours per week - well beyond the traditional full-time working week of forty hours. Though he doesn't get paid for his overtime, he explains that his commitment to law-enforcement extends beyond a mere job.
“The community of South Jakarta is close. Everyone knows the police personnel, even when we are not in uniform. Residents expect us to keep them safe and to be available to protect them, even when not on duty. If we are not always present, the community will lose trust in us,” he says.
By strategically locating the police quarters in the centre of South Jakarta, the residency acts as a reminder to the larger community that law-enforcement is always there to help, but also there to regulate and control as necessary.
Jakarta's police force present a unified front in the preservation and conservation of Indonesian laws and standards. Similarly, the local officers are united within their personal life and home communities. This creates a cohesive team environment and is reflected by the strength of the local law-enforcement teams.
Credits:
Bonnie Radcliffe