Splitting headache: Officers smash concrete in unusual police birthday bash

Policemen have been showing off their strength by breaking blocks of concrete at a ceremony to commemorate the founding of Indonesia’s national police (Polri).

Participants were pictured in impressive displays of physical force, smashing concrete with their elbows and foreheads, in Banda Aceh.

The festivities come as part of Bhayangkara Day on July 1, which celebrates its 78th anniversary this year, and honours the country’s police.

Elesewhere in Indonesia, celebrations included a roll call ceremony, arts and cultural activities, and also a climactic ‘people’s party’ at Monas, Jakarta.

At Monas, incumbent president Joko Widodo (Jokowi) offered the gathered police officers happy birthday, while president-elect Prabowo Subianto looked on.

Mr Jokowi said in his speech: “Happy 78th birthday, Bhayangkara.

“The spirit to always uphold the courage, innovation, solidarity, and honour of the national police in protecting Pancasila and the Republic of Indonesia and always serving the community wholeheartedly.”

The Polri are suffering from a number of mounting law and order issues, including armed conflict in Papua, drug and human trafficking, and online gambling.

Gen Listyo Sigit Prabowo, the national police chief, promised to dismantle online gambling operations within Indonesia and emphasised collaboration between the government’s online gambling task force and financial institutions.