Indonesia Proposes Active Police Roles in Civilian Agencies

The Indonesian government has put forward a proposal that would allow active police officers to continue serving in managerial roles within specific government institutions outside the National Police force. This significant shift is detailed in the Draft Law on the National Police (RUU Polri), currently slated for official discussion between the government and the House of Representatives (DPR).

The proposed amendment, found in Article 28 of the draft law, seeks to remove existing restrictions on where active police personnel can be placed. Instead, the government suggests that police officers could hold positions in external agencies if their duties align with the core functions of policing: maintaining security and public order, enforcing laws, and providing protection, guidance, and services to the community.

Article 28A, paragraph 2, outlines these permissible roles, specifying "managerial or non-managerial positions in ministries/agencies that carry out government affairs or tasks in the fields of: a. maintaining security, order, and community welfare; b. law enforcement; and c. protection, guidance, and service to the community."

The explanatory notes within the draft law clarify that "protection, guidance, and service to the community" specifically encompass responsibilities such as witness and victim protection, food and drug supervision (currently handled by BPOM), and national nutrition and food fulfillment (related to the National Nutrition Agency, BGN).

Initially scheduled for discussion on Thursday, the deliberation of this RUU Polri provision has been postponed to the following week. The proposal has generated discussion regarding the scope of police duties and their integration into civilian administrative roles.