Tracing the Contributions of AKBP Ema Rahmawati in Overseeing PPA Case Handling at Bareskrim

The Deputy Head of Operations Subdivision of the Directorate of Crimes Against Women and Children (PPA) and Human Trafficking (PPO) at Bareskrim Polri, AKBP Ema Rahmawati, demonstrates a strong commitment to protecting women and children. AKBP Ema has been proposed as a candidate for the Hoegeng Awards 2026. The proposer, Siti Mazuma, a lawyer from the Women Crisis Center Perempuan Nusantara, has known AKBP Ema since 2011 when working at the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH). “I see that Ms Ema is someone with such commitment and low profile regarding cases and any form of coordination. She is one of the female police officers with commitment and a good perspective related to women and children who are victims of violence, especially in the cases she handles,” said Zuma to detikcom on Monday (9/3/2026). Due to her commitment to protecting women and children, AKBP Ema has become a communicative policewoman with the community involved in PPA cases being handled. This makes the community feel comfortable because of AKBP Ema’s bias towards vulnerable groups. “With Ms Ema, it feels comfortable during the case handling process, and I think Ms Ema is someone who has had a long commitment in handling women and children cases, where she has handled various kinds of cases with all challenges and obstacles, and she can resolve them in efforts to fulfil the rights of women and child victims of violence,” she said. AKBP Ema is also described as an initiative-taking policewoman. That is, this policewoman from Tasikmalaya often takes the initiative and responds quickly to community issues related to PPA cases. “She is someone who can respond anytime and anywhere. When we need coordination or case support needs, she is quick, whether on Sunday, Saturday, or at any hour, she is always available,” said Zuma. “So, it’s enjoyable working with Ms Ema because no matter how difficult or challenging the case handling process is, we can coordinate well,” she added. Zuma hopes that AKBP Ema will increasingly inspire many police officers, especially female ones, to improve their performance in fulfilling the rights of women and children who are victims of violence. “The hope is that Ms Ema will be even more motivated in fulfilling the rights of women and children who are victims of violence, especially at the police level,” she said. Explanation from AKBP Ema Rahmawati Contacted separately, AKBP Ema stated that she began working in the PPA field at Bareskrim Polri since 2010 but focused on it from 2016. AKBP Ema is a policewoman who deeply understands the development of PPA units at Bareskrim. “I also pioneered the establishment of the PPA Directorate at Police Headquarters as well as at police resorts; now there are 11 Regional Police (Polda) and 22 PPA-PPO Police Resorts (Satres). So, I know very well the journey and development of these PPA units, which were previously just units, then shifted several times to different sub-units. Then, up to the formation of the PPA Directorate at Bareskrim and the PPA-PPO Directorate at 11 Polda and PPA-PPO Satres at 22 Police Resorts,” said AKBP Ema. During her service in PPA at Bareskrim, AKBP Ema did not handle or uncover many PPA cases. Because, she said, PPA cases that can be handled by Bareskrim Polri have specific criteria, such as inter-provincial cases, cases involving state officials, and those that attract public attention. “As for cases, I probably didn’t handle too many at Bareskrim. Maybe not even up to 50, perhaps 20-30 that went to trial (P21), but if discontinued (SP3), I forget how many, there have been many that were not continued,” she said. AKBP Ema has reasons for not uncovering many PPA cases at Bareskrim Polri. She mentioned that besides investigating and prosecuting cases, she also conducts guidance and supervision of PPA investigators at the Polda and Police Resort levels. “At Bareskrim, because we are at the central level of the police, we also discuss a lot or partner with other ministries/institutions in drafting laws, and we also serve as resource persons in ministries/institutions or internally if there is training as instructors,” she said. AKBP Ema revealed the reason for her focus and commitment in working in the PPA field. Stemming from concern over the continuously increasing involvement of women and children in crimes, AKBP Ema feels called to protect women and children who are considered vulnerable groups. “I am indeed saddened that there are many cases, and also with extraordinary complexity, from modus operandi, motives, scenes, even the perpetrators are becoming more complex, which is a challenge in itself,” said Ema. “Meaning, as it becomes more developed and advanced, why doesn’t it decrease, but why does it tend to increase, even cases involving children now are extraordinary, not only directly in the real world but apparently now the trend is even in the virtual world,” she continued. In addition, AKBP Ema already feels comfortable with her duties in the PPA and PPO fields. She is accustomed to PPA cases to the point that handling them has become her expertise. “Perhaps here at Bareskrim, we don’t handle too many cases, but we monitor cases occurring in the regions which are extraordinary, and their handling is not the same as general case handling. Because I have been here for a long time, I no longer think of moving to another function; I feel comfortable, perhaps this is my field,” she added.