The Jakarta Post has reported today that the Tourist Police have opened a Tourist Police Gallery in Kuta.
"The Kuta police precinct is now opening a Tourist Police Gallery, where visitors may get comprehensive knowledge about security issues on the island.
Measuring 200 square meters, the Kuta tourist police center was established early this year as part of the National Police's program to improve its public service and also to increase the confidence of local, domestic and foreign visitors to Kuta and the surrounding tourist destinations in Badung and Denpasar areas.
Com. Fahmi Attamini, the head of Denpasar police's security unit, told Bali Daily on Monday that the establishment of the Tourist Police Gallery was aimed at educating the public and, in particular, tourists about security issues on the island of Bali.
'This is the first of its kind in Indonesia. We are combining public services and public education, as well as information,' Fahmi said.
The gallery displays a large variety of police equipment and firearms, such as revolvers, bomb blankets, nightsticks and pepper sprays. 'Security in Bali, an international tourist destination, has been vital,' he said.
Integrated and comprehensive security measures have been enforced to ensure the security of the island, its people and international guests.
'Local and foreign visitors who need police assistance may come to this office,' he said, adding that 29 personnel were ready to provide their best services.
The gallery also provides a small library, with a free Wi-Fi service for its visitors, as well as welcome drinks.
'We are working and operating 24-hours-a-day to enable people to come here whenever they find any security problem,' he added.
The police office and gallery is equipped with six CCTV sets, a CCTV control room, patrol cars with a GPS system and communication tools connected to monitor the disturbance-prone points.
'All personnel must be able to handle visitor reports, to give solutions and to inform the public about any possible security problems,' he said.
They must also able to give an accurate explanation about the gallery's displayed items. With support from the governments of the US, Belgium and the Netherlands, the tourist police personnel have received various kinds of training on security issues. They have also been equipped with foreign language training to improve their communication skills.
'Most of them have now mastered one of three foreign languages — English, Japanese and Arabic.' In addition to human personnel, the tourist police center also employs two police dogs, Dudu (a labrador retriever) and Ausi (a rottweiler) to monitor Ground Zero and nearby locations. Nicole Eddington, a 25-year-old visitor from Australia, said she was glad to know of the existence of the tourist police center and its gallery.
'The tourist police center is unique. We can ask for any information here. We need this facility as tourists visiting Bali,' Eddington said.
It would be better if the center were not too crowded and busy, she added."