Analysts: Public Legal Awareness Key to Building Trust in Indonesian National Police
Senior researcher and Chief Expert at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Syafuan Rozi, has emphasised that public trust in the Indonesian National Police is heavily influenced by society’s legal culture and awareness. According to Rozi, heightened legal consciousness among the public automatically strengthens Polri’s credibility in carrying out its functions.
The remarks were made during a public safety forum organised by the Front Pemuda Indonesia Raya (FPIR) together with BRIN, titled “Polri’s Role in Maintaining Public Order During Ramadan” on Friday (13 March 2026).
Rozi cited the Netherlands as an example of a nation with the world’s highest level of public trust in police. He attributed this to the implementation of a strong restorative justice system as an early mitigation measure against social conflict.
“Before moving towards law enforcement, communities there first resolve disputes through family mediation or through customary law (urban law). This cultural approach minimises crime rates,” said Rozi.
Rozi praised the role of political scientist Hermawan Sulistyo in designing structural and cultural reforms within Polri. He noted that efforts to train officers to achieve competency levels comparable to police in developed nations such as Japan and Singapore continue, with the aim of ensuring Polri is no longer perceived as an institution distant from the public.
“Professor Hermawan emphasises that policing is not merely about arrests, because if everyone is imprisoned, prison capacity will be overwhelmed. This humanitarian approach is what is being developed,” he added.
On the same occasion, FPIR Coordinator Fauzan Ohorella highlighted aspects of Polri’s performance that often go unnoticed during the holy month of Ramadan. He noted that price stability for essential goods in traditional markets is largely due to the active role of Polri’s Food Task Force.
“The Chief of Police has instructed units to establish a task force to monitor and curb speculation by distributors and middlemen. This directly benefits the public, particularly housewives in meeting their Ramadan needs,” explained Fauzan.
Fauzan also cited senior political analyst Boni Hargens’ view of Polri’s “Ramadan Safari” programme as an example of Polri acting as a social facilitator. Beyond food security, the effectiveness of Polri’s 110 Call Centre service has also received positive attention for its rapid response, including in addressing illegal racing incidents in Batam that had troubled residents.
Furthermore, Fauzan urged the Indonesian public to be more selective in consuming information, particularly on social media. He expressed concern that certain parties deliberately build negative perceptions of Polri despite evidence of actual fieldwork performance.
“The problem is that we often fail to verify information circulating without checking facts. Some even deliberately reject Polri’s positive performance during Ramadan by creating negative framing,” Fauzan concluded.
Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights and Immigration Yusril Ihza Mahendra stated that the final report from the committee’s study was completed and ready to be submitted to President Prabowo Subianto.
As the final outcome, the discussion forum formulated a number of professional recommendations to be submitted to the police authorities.
Hans Giovanny Yosua, Head of the Research and Documentation Division of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence, reminded that Polri must not be misused.
CSIS researcher Nicky Fahrizal cited violent culture within Polri as rooted in a still-militaristic education curriculum. Total deconstruction of the National Police Academy and a meritocratic system are needed.
Member of Commission III of the House of Representatives I Wayan Sudirta cited the death of a student in Tual as a catalyst for cultural reform within Polri.