Indonesian police deploy 403 personnel for forest fire education in Kalimantan and Sumatra

Indonesia's National Police have dispatched 403 personnel from their Prevention and Education Task Force to eight provincial police jurisdictions in Kalimantan and Sumatra. These officers will focus on educating communities about preventing forest and land fires (Karhutla), a critical issue exacerbated by the current dry season.

The deployment directly addresses a directive from President Joko Widodo to the National Police chief, emphasizing the need to bolster preventive strategies. Komjen Pol. Panca Putra Simanjuntak, Head of the Police Education and Training Institute, stated that the personnel would be deployed in stages. "We are sending 403 personnel to eight Polda to conduct outreach and education to the community. This is a follow-up to the President's directive for the National Police to strengthen forest and land fire prevention efforts through direct education to the community," Simanjuntak explained.

These task force members will work in teams, coordinated by their respective provincial police commands and accompanied by local officers. Their mission includes not only raising awareness about the dangers and legal ramifications of setting fires but also promoting environmental preservation. The education materials, including presentations, brochures, and flyers, will be distributed in public spaces. Simanjuntak stressed the importance of integrating this educational approach with law enforcement, noting that human negligence is a significant cause of these fires. The task force comprises 395 trainees from various police educational programs, supported by eight accompanying personnel.

“

We are sending 403 personnel to eight Polda to conduct outreach and education to the community. This is a follow-up to the President's directive for the National Police to strengthen forest and land fire prevention efforts through direct education to the community.