New Bali Tourist Police Are Happy To Officially Be On Patrol

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Bali’s new tourism police civil service unit has officially started its patrols.

The newly appointed officers will be out and about in Bali’s busiest resorts and at top attractions, ready to help tourists in need and communicate the dos and don’ts of the island. 

It was revealed earlier this week, much to the excitement of Bali lovers, that the 73 new Bali Tourism Police officers will be accompanied on their patrols by five specially trained Kintamani Bali dogs.

The six-month-old pups have been in training for the last three months. They are on hand to bring a smile to tourist’s faces, be a calming support if folks get flustered, and be a conversation starter for officers out on patrol.

The dogs are not K9 security trained like sniffer dogs but have been trained to support officers in higher-pressure situations, too.

The dogs have been well socialized, have all their vaccines, and are ready to meet Bali tourists, including young children and those with additional needs. 

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The Head of the Bali Province Satpol PP, Dewa Nyoman Rai Dharmadi, told reporters that the new units out on patrol would go a long way in improving the behavior of the small minority of badly behaved tourists on the island. 

Dharmadi said, “Resolving it completely is not yet possible, but minimizing the disruption of order, especially at tourist attractions.”

“We are not alone. We are joining hands with our police colleagues and tourist attractions administrators together.”

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Of the seventy-three officers who have been trained, 42 will be deployed to Badung Regency, and the remaining 31 officers will cover tourist attractions around the rest of the island.

The Badung Regency-based units have already been deployed out on the street, and the other units will follow shortly. They have been trained in providing tourism support, ensuring public peace and order, and can confidently communicate in English. 

Dharmadi said that the Tourism Satpol PP units are already fluent in English because they have just completed a full month of the provision in understanding the language, in addition to their police training. 

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Dharmadi noted, “Starting today, there is a division of tasks, shifts, and operational vehicles. “There are two shifts from morning to afternoon and afternoon until 9 pm at night.”

He added that the new officers will be on hand to provide a guide-like service; any questions tourists may have about the area, they can help with directions, translate and interpret if things are getting confusing, and much more.

If they see tourists disobeying the law or disrespecting local culture, they will step in and help remedy the situation. 

The Chief of Police of Badung Regency, I Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara, also spoke to reporters as the first officers set off to work.

He explained, “A bigger role is to preventive and pre-emptive actions, socializing tourism-related rules on what can/can’t do in Bali, specifically Badung.”

He continued, “[They can] then facilitate tourists information about the facilities of tourist objects reprimand traders or travel guides when committing criminal violations, as well as reminding tourists that there are actions they can take that are beneficial to the preservation of Bali’s customs and culture that will be in effect from February 14th.”

Officers were all smiles while out on their first day of patrol. Tourists can expect to see the officers dressed in white polo shirts or brown collared shirts and khaki shorts.

This informal, ranger-like uniform was chosen to help ensure the teams are approachable to tourists. 

Officers will be out and about and have been tasked with chatting with tourists and simply checking in with them.

Tourists are welcome to chat as long as they like and say hi to the puppies too. They’ve been trained to sit still for photos!