Police Must Be Humane and Open to Criticism, Says Activist

Human rights activist and police observer Sonny Warsito has stressed that the Indonesian National Police (Polri) belongs to the public and must be safeguarded collectively. He made the statement during an online discussion themed ‘Polri After the New Law’, organised by the Jakarta Journalist Center (JJC) on Friday, 19 June 2026. He highlighted several points in the new law, including the extension of service periods, strengthening of internal and external oversight, and the assignment of Polri members outside the internal structure. One aspect he appreciated was the implementation of equal rights. Regarding the handling of demonstrations, Sonny referred to experiences following the events of September last year. He assessed that the police are often placed in a difficult position as they are invariably blamed when riots occur. He proposed a more dialogic and humane approach towards protesters, including prioritising communication and escorting them to the designated endpoint of the demonstration. ‘Demonstrators should be invited for dialogue, not confronted. The police can provide an escort to keep the situation under control,’ he said. In terms of recruitment and education, Sonny welcomed the strengthening of human rights material in the Polri education curriculum. He also supported the involvement of persons with disabilities and individuals with specialised skills in the recruitment of police members. According to him, this is a significant step that needs continuous monitoring. Regarding external oversight, Sonny assessed that the function of the National Police Commission (Kompolnas) remains limited because it lacks investigative authority. He believes this prevents the oversight function from operating optimally. ‘Many recommendations have not been followed up on maximally,’ he stated. Concluding his views, Sonny invited the public to continue loving the police by correcting, criticising, and providing proportional solutions, including through social media. He expressed hope that Polri will remain a professional institution, not become a tool of power, and continue to respect civil rights and freedom of expression.