Deputy National Police Chief Inaugurates Social Science Lab and Thematic Classrooms at Police Academy

The Deputy Chief of the Indonesian National Police, Commissioner General Dedi Prasetyo, inaugurated the Police Social Science Laboratory and Thematic Classrooms at the Police Academy in Semarang on Monday (6/7). The Police Academy has entered a new chapter in the modernisation of police education with the inauguration of these facilities. Both facilities are part of the transformation of police education to shape officers capable of making scientific, data-based decisions and prioritising a humanist approach in addressing increasingly complex security challenges. After the inauguration, the Deputy Chief explained that the Police Social Science Laboratory and Thematic Classrooms are part of the police education reform that prepares cadets to become first-line supervisors and the next leaders within the National Police. “Cadets must be equipped with the ability to make data-based decisions. Therefore, we are developing learning methods that utilise big data, Artificial Intelligence, and comprehensive analysis so that every decision can be accounted for scientifically and legally,” he said in an official statement. He further stated that the Police Social Science Laboratory serves as a simulation-based learning space for real problems faced by the community. With the support of AI, coding, and big data analysis, cadets are trained to understand social dynamics, map potential threats to public order, and formulate evidence-based policing solutions. As part of strengthening the learning process, the Central Java Regional Police has been designated as a Teaching Laboratory for the Police Academy, allowing cadets to gain direct experience in analysing security and public order dynamics through a humanist approach before carrying out field duties. Meanwhile, the Thematic Classrooms were developed as case study-based learning spaces that introduce police functions in a visual, interactive, and applicable manner. Currently, six thematic classrooms are available, covering Human Resources, Medical and Health, Mobile Brigade, Criminal Investigation, Identification, and Forensic Laboratory. Going forward, all technical police functions are targeted to have thematic classrooms as integrated learning media. The formulator of the Police Social Science Laboratory, Inspector General Susilo Teguh Raharjo, a senior officer in the Education and Training Institute, explained that the construction of the laboratory and thematic classrooms is an implementation of the Deputy Chief’s directive to strengthen the quality of police education through a modern academic approach. According to Susilo, the Police Social Science Laboratory is not designed as an exact science lab but rather as a space for discussion, research, and simulation of social phenomena that allows cadets to understand community problems before serving in the field. The goal is to produce graduates who think systemically, critically, and reflectively, and who prioritise evidence-based policing in every decision-making process. He explained that the concept for this laboratory was developed through discussions with experts and professors, as well as comparative studies with police educational institutions in the United States, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Australia. With this inauguration, Indonesia becomes the fifth country in Asia to have a Police Social Science Laboratory. The construction of the Police Social Science Laboratory and Thematic Classrooms was supported by grant funds from the state-owned banks association Himbara, which includes BRI, BNI, BTN, Bank Mandiri, and BSI, as well as contributions from police alumni. The Deputy Chief expressed his appreciation to all parties who contributed to realising these facilities. “We thank all the Himbara banks, police alumni, donors, and all parties who have supported the construction of the Police Social Science Laboratory and Thematic Classrooms. This synergy is an important investment in building superior police human resources ready to face future challenges,” said the Deputy Chief.