Indonesian Human Rights Minister proposes civilians for key police roles

Indonesian Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai has put forward a proposal suggesting that civilians should be eligible to hold certain high-ranking positions within the Indonesian National Police (Polri). This idea was presented as part of the ongoing discourse surrounding the revision of Law No. 2 of 2002, which governs the National Police.

Pigai articulated that the revision process presents an opportunity to strengthen the police force's professionalism, uphold civil supremacy, and improve democratic governance. He specifically suggested that civilian appointments could be considered for roles related to administration, finance, inspectorates, or personnel management – positions that are not directly involved in the core operational duties of law enforcement.

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I propose that one of the material contents of the revision of the Polri Law is the opening of positions for key officials in the Police that can be filled by civilians.

According to Pigai, integrating civilians into key police leadership roles is a practice observed in many modern democratic nations and aligns with the reformist agenda of positioning the police as a civilian institution. He emphasized that the ultimate goal of revising the law should be to ensure the police operate with greater professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights, and in accordance with the principles of a law-based state and democracy.

The proposal comes as the House of Representatives has agreed to consider the revision of the National Police Law as an initiative. This move is a follow-up to recommendations made by the Police Reform Acceleration Committee (KPRP), indicating a broader effort to reform and modernize the institution.

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The ultimate goal is not just a change in organizational structure, but ensuring that police governance becomes more professional, accountable, respects human rights, and is in line with the principles of a law-based state and democracy.