Strengthening Community Policing to Tackle Motorcycle Gangs in Garut

Garut, VIVA – The Learning Groups (Pokjar) IV of the Indonesian Police Staff and Senior Leadership School (Sespimma), Batch 75 of 2026, is strengthening community policing to address motorcycle gang problems in Garut Regency.

With involvement from government and security authorities, there has been a paradigm shift. Many motorised groups have legally transformed into social organisations (ormas).

Data from the Garut Regency’s Bakesbangpol records that there are currently 600 motor groups known, identified and registered. However, there are more than 300 motor groups that are unregistered.

The unregistered groups pose a serious challenge for authorities to supervise. The youth age group tends to engage in criminal activity.

From issues in the Garut Police Resort jurisdiction, Pokjar IV Sespimma Batch 75 organised a Focus Group Discussion ‘Optimisation of Motor Group Supervision’ (FGD) at Garut Police Resort on Tuesday 19 May 2026.

Attendees included Pawas Sespimma Polri Kombes Grace Krisna D Rahakbau, Kombes Tommy Bambang Irawan, Garut Police Chief AKBP Yugi Bayu Hendarto and Garut’s Deputy Police Chief Kompol Deny Rahmanto, along with representatives from Forkopimnda, community leaders, and motor groups including XTC, Moonraker, Brigez, GBR, and motor clubs supervised by Satlantas Polres Garut.

Sespimma cadet at the Polri’s Education and Training Center (Lemdiklat Polri), Satria Anggara, explained that the phenomenon of motor groups, or those stigmatized as motorcycle gangs, stems from the needs of the young generation, particularly from adolescence to early adulthood.

Although the transformation trend currently offers positive prospects, field realities show that the potential for street crime involving young people has not completely faded.

‘And secondly, the intersection between young motor group members and the dangers of drugs. Much street crime begins with drug abuse and alcohol consumption,’ he said.

Furthermore, given the various problems, he argued there is a need for massive and structured inter-agency synergy.

He stated that supervision cannot be borne solely by the police, but must involve the Education Department, Kesbangpol, NGOs, and the general public.

‘The discussion underscored the urgency of policy formulation that does not only emphasise repressive law enforcement, but also holistic preventive and pre-emptive strategies, including social integration and job creation,’ said Satria.