Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Vice Chairman of The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Laode M Syarif expected that the National Police would be more professional.

"We hope the National Police will be more professional and productive," Laode M Syarif said here on Monday.

Syarif said that the KPK and the Police have cooperated in conducting investigation into a number of corruption cases.

"If the police face difficulties in handling corruption cases, then they will coordinate with the KPK. The KPK will hand over corruption cases to the police, if the corruption cases involve small amount of funds," Syarif stated.

Public trust and confidence in the national police continues to increase, President Joko Widodo earlier stated.

"A report released by the survey institutes shows an increase in the peoples confidence over the last year, thereby hinting that the police are doing a good job and providing good service to the victims of crimes," President Joko Widodo stated in his speech while leading the 71st anniversary ceremony of the National Police at the National Monument in Central Jakarta, Monday.

The president pointed out that the police have demonstrated dedication, loyalty, and high integrity to support the realization of national development and economic equality.

The police have also maintained conducive national security properly.

"The police succeeded in preventing conflicts, handling terrorism, eradicating drugs, suppressing conventional crime, and realizing security," he noted.

In addition, the police managed to safeguard the political agenda of securing the 2017 simultaneous regional election.

However, all elements of the nation should support the police in an attempt to face the challenges in the future.

President Jokowi, accompanied by First Lady Iriana as well as Vice President Jusuf Kalla and his wife Mufidah, arrived at the National Monument at 8 a.m. local time.

Unlike last years celebration, which was held at the Mobile Brigade Command headquarters, this years ceremony was open to the general public.

"This year, the ceremony is being held here (at the National Monument) to bring us closer to the public, so that they can join in the celebration, National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Setyo Wasisto remarked.

The anniversary of the National Police actually fell on July 1, but the celebration was delayed to July 10 since most police officers were busy safeguarding the Idul Fitri holidays.

Over 2,400 personnel from the National Police, the Indonesian Military, the Public Order Agency, and the Indonesian Scout Movement took part in the ceremony.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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