Preparation Before Opening a Police Report In Indonesia

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By:

Team of Hukumindo

Previously, the Hukumindo.com platform has talk about "The Pants Lawsuit", "What's The Difference Between Police Report and Public Complaint?" read also "How to Open a Police Report in Indonesia?", "The Example of Official Police Report Receipt in Indonesia" and on this occasion we will discuss about 'Preparation Before Opening a Police Report In Indonesia'. By reading this article to the end, the author hopes that the reader is well prepared before opening a Police Report.

Opening a Police Report to the relevant police station is certainly not an easy thing for everyone. However, for legal professionals such as advocates, it is certainly not a new thing. What difficult is to share information that is part of the daily life of a legal professional to the majority of people who do not understand the law. This is the challenge of this article, explaining the technicalities to the general public.

Let's leave aside for a moment the positive rules of rigid legal norms of Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), this article will guide readers on practical things that must be prepared before opening a Police Report. Be ready audience.

Legal Incident

Let's say you are on vacation in Bali and have an unpleasant legal incident due to 'pickpocketing'. Or let's say you are in Jakarta for a certain business and you are having a bad day because the inn/hotel where you are staying has been burglarized. Of course there are many other examples that are not pleasant to tell here, but what is certain is that you have to deal with the law and go to the Police Station to open a report. 

First lesson: this is the first lesson, you must know the location where the legal incident that you experienced occurred. By knowing the location where you experienced the legal incident as referred, then you will know which Police Station you must report to. If you are pickpocketed on Kuta beach, then you may open a Police Report at the Badung Police Station.

Second lesson: this is the second lesson, it's about the category of crime you have experienced. You don't need to know that pickpocketing is regulated in what article of the Criminal Code. You also don't need to know what article theft is included in the Criminal Code. Just saying that you have been pickpocketed or have stolen to the Police Officer is enough, it is assumed that the Police Officer who is on duty at the Integrated Police Service Center (SPKT) already knows what article is regulated in the Criminal Code.

ID Card

Bring your ID card, this is to show that you are a legal subject. During the reporting process later at the Police Station, your identity will be asked and furthermore will be included in the proof of report.

Sir, I am a foreign citizen, is my national ID card valid? If you are a foreign citizen, then the identity you should show is your Passport. Sir, how do I show my passport, it has been stolen? Technically, you have to show your identity, so try to have a copy or back-up of your ID card. 

Third lesson: this is the third lesson, you must show your ID card or passport to the Police officer.

Event Description

The chronology of events is related to the description of the legal incident that you experience. This includes the date of the incident, the time of the incident, the place of the incident (for example at a hotel or beach or other place).

Then describe a brief chronology of events, for example:

"On the afternoon of December 20, 2021 I went to Kuta Beach with my girlfriend, then we swam and put our wallets in the bags we carried. We put the bag in a place not too far from where we were swimming and occasionally we still watched it from a distance. After swimming, we rinsed and cleaned ourselves, and I only realized when I was about to take the towel in the bag that my wallet had disappeared. ATM card, Credit card, hotel electronic key, shopping card and cash money amount of Rp. 1.000.000, - also disappeared inside the the wallet. The losses suffered were a number of ... Rupiah." 

Fourth lesson: this is the fourth lesson, you must describe the legal incident. This, as far as the author knows, is not difficult. Later the Police Officer will guide you to translate it into a sentence. 

In addition, you will also be asked, do you know who is the perpetrator of the crime? Just answer honestly if you don't know. You will also be asked who were the witnesses who saw it at that time? If there was anyone, then mention at least two person. 

Sign The Report

Finally, you must sign the criminal report as mentioned above. This indicates that the report you have given to the Police Officer is correct. According to the facts that you experienced and you have told it as should be. Keep in mind that making a false or incorrect Police Report can be criminalized, the author strongly discourages this.

Fifth lesson: this is the fifth lesson, you must sign the report as a part of formal legal act. 

Other things that might be on the minds of all readers are: when should I report to the Police? the answer is anytime, the Police Integrated Service Center (SPKT) is open in 24 hours. Or some readers may ask: are there any official fees to be paid to Police officers when we open a Police Report? The answer is there are no fees levied by the Police officers.

Dear readers, as the epilogue part of this article, please note that this article can guide you in opening a Police Report at your local Police Station. It's just that this article is intended for criminal acts that are classified as vague or simple, such as pickpocketing or theft. Also be remember that there is a disclaimer on this site. For more complex and difficult criminal acts such as fraud or embezzlement, the author suggests that all readers should hire an advocate. And if you have difficulties to open a Police Report in Indonesia, contact us, feel free in 24 hours, we will be glad to assist you.

*) For further information please contact:

Mahmud Kusuma Advocate

Law Office

Jakarta - Indonesia.

E-mail: mahmudkusuma22@gmail.com

________________

Reference:

1. KUHAP or Law Number: 8 of 1981 concerning Criminal Procedure Code.