Polri Prepares Social Sciences Laboratory to Test Appropriate Policing Approaches

Polri is building a learning facility in the form of a social sciences laboratory to support the development of mindsets, work cultures, and on-the-ground actions for personnel. This facility is located in the Police Academy (Akpol) complex, Polri’s Lemdiklat, Semarang, Central Java.

Deputy Chief of Police Komjen Dedi Prasetyo stated that the laboratory’s existence is designed as part of efforts to address the increasingly complex dynamics of police duties, including technological developments and social changes.

“These changes are now occurring at high speed and complexity, driven by the digital revolution, global geopolitical shifts, and social structural transformations,” said Komjen Dedi, quoted from the book ‘Laboratorium Sosial Sains Kepolisian’, Sunday (29/3/2026).

According to this former Inspector of General Police Supervision, police learning approaches are not sufficient based solely on theory. Testing processes are needed through analysis of factual field conditions and predictions of the impacts of every action taken.

“The establishment of the police social sciences laboratory is an effort to bridge theory and practice,” said Komjen Dedi.

He explained that the laboratory is expected to be used as a data- and analysis-based learning space, as well as to develop social approaches in carrying out public security and order maintenance tasks (harkamtibmas). “The laboratory is expected not only to serve as an experimental space but also to support capacity development and the formation of adaptive personnel character,” he continued.

This former Assistant Chief of Police for Human Resources stated that the development of this facility is also directed towards encouraging changes in police education. The changes he referred to include aspects of mindset, work culture, and actions.

“Transformation is not only about structural changes but also mindset, culture set, and action set that adjust to the demands of the times and societal expectations,” he concluded.