Indonesian Police Explore Establishing Public Police University

The Education and Training Institute (Lemdiklat) of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) has confirmed it is currently studying the establishment of a Police University. Head of Lemdiklat Polri, Commissioner General RZ Panca Simanjuntak, stated that the planned university would be accessible to the general public who wish to deepen their knowledge of security or policing sciences. He explained that once the Police University is formed, the Police Science College (STIK) will cease to exist. Panca claimed the transformation of STIK into a Police University is an effort to adapt to Polri’s future human resource needs. “The Police Science College must adapt and develop itself through a Police University, which we are currently discussing, to accommodate not only police officers but all elements of society,” he said. He noted that strengthening education is one of Polri’s steps to improve the quality of human resources. This year, a total of 289 students graduated from bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programmes at STIK. Panca stated that this education is part of Polri’s efforts to enhance the capabilities and knowledge of personnel so they can answer the challenges of field duties through a scientific approach. On the same occasion, Chairman of STIK Lemdiklat Polri, Inspector General Eko Rudi Sudarto, revealed that the idea of a Police University was first declared by National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo three years ago. He expressed hope that the presence of a Police University would open wider space for various groups to contribute to the development of policing and security science. “With the Police University, the hope is for many more inputs, because knowledge is not exclusive. Knowledge must be inclusive, for all,” he said.