Operation Patuh Semeru 2026 Begins: East Java Police Chief’s Message
East Java Police Chief Inspector General Dekananto Eko Purwono led the roll-call ceremony for Operation Patuh Semeru 2026. He reminded joint personnel to take a humane approach and avoid offending members of the public during the operation.
Dekananto said action against traffic offenders should be a last resort if prevention and education have proved ineffective. He also warned officers not to abuse their authority when enforcing the rules in the field.
“I hope, and I instruct you, that throughout this operation you must never hurt the public’s feelings, whether through your words, conduct or appearance in the field,” Dekananto said in his address at East Java Police Headquarters on Monday (26 October 2026).
Operation Patuh Semeru 2026 will run for 14 days, from 26 October to 8 November 2026. Activities are divided into three categories: 20% pre-emptive measures, 50% preventive measures and 30% enforcement.
Dekananto called on officers to intensify public outreach at the start of the operation. Although Operation Patuh Semeru 2026 is focused on enforcing traffic rules, he said preventive and pre-emptive approaches must remain the priority.
“I remind you not to let cases of abuse of authority in traffic enforcement go viral,” he said.
The former Deputy Chief of Jakarta Metropolitan Police also asked all personnel involved, including members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri) and East Java provincial government agencies, to set an example by obeying traffic rules. Dekananto said he would impose firm sanctions on any personnel found committing violations during the operation.
“And if I find any violations, I will ensure that firm sanctions are imposed,” he said.
Dekananto also highlighted increases in traffic accidents and violations in East Java. According to data from the East Java Police Traffic Directorate that he presented, the number of traffic accidents rose by 23%, an increase of 4,766 cases.
Traffic violations also increased by 25% over the same periods—January to September 2025 and January to September 2026.
“These figures provide the basis for conducting regional operations, particularly Operation Patuh,” he said.
Operation Patuh Semeru 2026 aims to reduce accidents, their severity, and the number of people killed or seriously injured in traffic crashes. Dekananto urged East Java Police personnel, especially traffic officers who interact with the public every day, to adapt to changing social dynamics.
“Remember, times have changed. So adapt to the social dynamics in the community. Be police officers who are loved and trusted by the public, not feared and avoided,” he added.