In the wake of the bad bule sagas of 2023, leaders in Bali want to ensure that tourists see the Bali Tourism Civil Service Police in a positive light.
Some would say it was starting to feel like the authorities wanted to deport every tourist for even the slightest misdemeanor, and the authorities wanted to address this public image.
The Acting Governor of Bali, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, called on the newly established Bali Tourism Civil Service to provide a more nurturing and protective service to both domestic and foreign tourists.
This call comes in the wake of 2023, where officials were asked to take a zero-tolerance approach to foreigners behaving illegally or in a culturally disrespectful way.
This has undoubtedly caused an air of distrust between some tourists and the authorities.
In 2023, the Bali Provincial Government established a Tourism Task Force dedicated to cracking down on tourists breaking the rules.
This led to the announcement that a Bali Tourism Civil Service Police unit would be created, similar to that in place in Yogjakarta.
Speaking at the Special Tourism PP Police Training in Bali Province in 2024, Acting Governor Jaya told the recruits, “We want to change the paradigm of the civil service police, no longer as thugs and rioters but as regional representatives of maintaining human order and security.”
“I ask that the Tourism Police be able to provide a sense of comfort so that tourists do not feel anxious while on holiday in Bali.”
“[I want you to] assure tourists that visiting Bali is safe and comfortable, so don’t hesitate to come to Bali.”
He stressed the importance of making tourists feel comfortable and welcome on the island.
Jaya added, “The Bali Tourism Pol PP is very important. I hope that with the formation of this unit, the negative label regarding Satpol PP [civil service] as evictors will disappear. I hope this paradigm is changed.
“Because Satpol PP is the power in the hand of regional heads in maintaining peace and order, as well as enforcing regional regulations/regional regulations.”
He noted that officers would be allowed to dress smart casually, not in full police uniform, so as to be more approachable to tourists at top attractions, on the street, and on the beach.
Acting Governor Jaya added, “Prioritize a friendly smile and a sincere attitude. If something goes wrong, tell me immediately. “We will prevent [problems] from upstream.”
He concluded that the new Bali Tourism Civil Service Police have one shot to get the public on their side.
He concluded, “If it causes problems in the field, then it’s over. This is in the hands of fellow Tourism Police personnel. For this reason, I hope that this training will be checked carefully.”
The Head of the Bali Province Civil Service Unit, Nyoman Rai Dharmadi, has been heavily involved in creating the training program for the new tourism police.
He told reporters, “For the next ten days, 40 participants for the Badung Regency Saptol PP and 31 members of the Bali Province Satpol PP will receive training, and we will select them to become new members.”
Dharmadi said, “We will first introduce all the material regarding Satpol PP’s duties and functions; we will discuss how to defend ourselves if we find something related to a disturbance to order at tourist attractions.”
“We will train [control methods] without having to injure or harass tourists; we have to be careful because our intentions are to ensure safety.”
As it stands, the plan is to inaugurate the Bali Tourism Civil Service Police Unit on the upcoming general election day, the 14th of February.
The team will then be deployed to patrol and conduct surveillance at Bali’s leading tourist attractions and destinations.
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Kevin collins
Tuesday 30th of January 2024
If you want tourists to come back, the 1st thing You must do is get rid of the pirate taxis. Yes, you have Blue Bird, but the pirates disguise Their Taxis, to look like Bluebirds. Hate being Stolen from. Kevin.
bintangketut
Sunday 28th of January 2024
Always the Russians and Eastern Europeans causing problems
Shorty
Sunday 28th of January 2024
@bintangketut,
Check the tourist numbers. They haven't been in the top 10 for over A year. Check BS reports, there's plenty of other white tourist arseholes.
Thommo
Friday 26th of January 2024
Key part of their training will be steering their magic carpets to get around to the relatively minor insignificant situations. Good luck in the horrendous traffic
Wayan Bo
Friday 26th of January 2024
Anyway it remains great tourist destination for masochistic persons.
Alex
Thursday 25th of January 2024
I really don't understand why anyone is going to Bali after covid. Everything is the fault of tourists. The horrible young criminals operating from the trashy shops on Jalan Legian aren't to blame! The thieves hanging around late at night are angels! The guys selling drugs openly everywhere must be licensed Medical Doctors! The island is a mess, the regulations for visas change every couple of months, and now there are extra tourist taxes with more to come. "Creative Economy!" I fly back to Indonesia in April. For the first time ever I won't be visiting Bali. I'm flying straight into Yogyakarta, driving to Pangandaran, then going to West Java, followed by Lombok. I refuse to pay any new taxes imposed by the ridiculous, unelected Balinese Ministers.