Police Reform Commission Proposes New Rules for Handling Demonstrations
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- The Indonesian National Police Reform Commission proposed new regulations for handling demonstrations.
- The new rules aim to shift the approach from security-focused to service-oriented, emphasizing de-escalation and humanistic practices.
- Key changes include maximizing negotiator roles and avoiding repressive actions to minimize potential clashes.
The Indonesian National Police Reform Commission has put forth a significant proposal for new regulations governing the handling of public demonstrations. This initiative, spearheaded by commission secretary Ahmad Dofiri, aims to fundamentally alter the police's approach to public gatherings.
So in the future, we recommend that Perpol and Perkap be made.
Dofiri explained that the proposed Peraturan Polri (Perpol) or Peraturan Kapolri (Perkap) would shift the paradigm from a security-centric model to one focused on public service. This means prioritizing de-escalation and humanistic methods over a purely security-driven response.
Under the proposed framework, the role of field negotiators would be significantly enhanced to foster dialogue with protesters and minimize the likelihood of confrontations. The commission also advocates for stronger communication channels between the police and demonstrators, explicitly discouraging repressive tactics. This move towards a more humane and service-oriented approach is seen as a crucial step in modernizing police operations in Indonesia and ensuring public order is maintained while respecting citizens' rights to assemble.
This new approach changes the orientation of handling demonstrations from initially focusing on security to service.
This reform reflects a broader trend in Indonesia towards greater accountability and citizen engagement within its institutions. While Western media might focus on the potential impact on protest management, for Indonesians, this represents a tangible effort to build trust between the public and the police, ensuring that demonstrations are handled with respect and a focus on peaceful resolution, a stark contrast to potentially more heavy-handed approaches seen elsewhere.
This is one of the slogans. This is what will be regulated and new Perkap or Perpol will be made in the future.
Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.