Interestingly, the revision is not designed to significantly expand Polri’s operational authority, as some critics have feared. Instead, the amendments—covering around 11 articles and seven to eight key areas—focus primarily on institutional strengthening, organizational governance, and human resource development.
By: Mohammad Suaib Mappasila
MARITIMEPOSTS.COM – The House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI) has officially passed the Bill on the Third Amendment to Law No. 2 of 2002 concerning the Indonesian National Police into law.
The unanimous approval by all parliamentary factions on June 9, 2026, was far more than a routine legislative process. It marked an important milestone in the long journey of reforming Indonesia’s police institution, a process that has been underway for more than two decades.
Amid rapidly changing strategic environments, Indonesia requires a police institution capable of adapting to contemporary challenges. Today’s security threats are no longer limited to conventional crimes.
Cybercrime has become increasingly sophisticated, terrorism transcends national borders, misinformation spreads through digital spaces, and society simultaneously demands law enforcement that is more professional, transparent, accountable, and respectful of human rights.
Within this context, the enactment of the Third Amendment to the Police Law finds its relevance.
The new regulation should be viewed as a strategic step toward strengthening the institutional foundation of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) so it can respond effectively to current challenges while preparing for the future.
The Road of Reform
Police reform is not a new agenda. Since the separation of Polri from the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) during the 1998 Reform Era, Indonesia has sought to build a professional police institution within the framework of democracy and the rule of law.
That separation represented one of the most significant milestones in Indonesia’s security sector reform. Yet institutional reform does not end with organizational restructuring alone.
Numerous challenges remain, including human resource regeneration, strengthening oversight systems, improving professionalism, enhancing governance transparency, and adapting to technological developments.
Therefore, this third amendment to the Police Law did not emerge in a vacuum. It is part of a broader national legal reform process, including adjustments to the new Criminal Code (KUHP), Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), and recommendations from the Reform Working Committee on the Police, Prosecutor’s Office, and Judiciary.
Interestingly, the revision is not designed to significantly expand Polri’s operational authority, as some critics have feared. Instead, the amendments—covering around 11 articles and seven to eight key areas—focus primarily on institutional strengthening, organizational governance, and human resource development.
In other words, the main objective is not to increase power, but to improve institutional quality.
Direction of Transformation
One of the most important aspects of the amendment is the affirmation of Polri’s transformation agenda. The law explicitly defines Polri as an institution that is open, transparent, professional, highly ethical, and committed to quality public service.
This clarification provides a strong normative foundation for cultural reform within the organization. Historically, the greatest challenge in police reform has often been organizational culture rather than regulations themselves.
By emphasizing professionalism, integrity, democracy, and respect for human rights, the law establishes a foundation for sustainable change. Genuine transformation must be reflected throughout the organization—from recruitment and education to promotions and daily operations in the field.
Another significant change concerns oversight and transparency, long-standing concerns of the public.
The new law strengthens internal oversight through the Professional and Security Division (Propam) and the Inspectorate General of Supervision (Itwasum). At the same time, external oversight is enhanced through a stronger role for the National Police Commission (Kompolnas).
This step is crucial because accountability is a fundamental requirement for building public trust.
Notably, stronger oversight is pursued not only through administrative mechanisms but also through modern technology. Integrated CCTV systems, digital public reporting platforms, and data analytics are expected to increase transparency while reducing opportunities for abuse of authority.
This approach aligns with the spirit of the new Criminal Procedure Code, which places greater emphasis on oversight of investigations and protection of citizens’ rights. In the digital era, technology serves not only as a security tool but also as an instrument of accountability.
Merit-Based Human Resources
The amendment also places significant emphasis on human resource management. It strengthens guarantees of political neutrality, merit-based recruitment, fairer job rotations, and more transparent career development.
For years, large organizations have often faced challenges from patrimonial practices that can undermine professionalism. Consequently, strengthening meritocracy has become essential.
The future of Polri cannot be built upon personal connections but must rest on competence, integrity, and achievement. As modern crimes become increasingly sophisticated, the quality of human resources is far more important than the sheer number of personnel.
Another amendment concerns the assignment of police officers outside the police institution.
Through clearer provisions, including the addition of Article 28A, the law regulates the placement of active police officers in certain civilian positions related to security, law enforcement, and public service.
This arrangement takes into account previous Constitutional Court decisions while maintaining civilian supremacy as a fundamental principle.
Such assignments are not unrestricted. They are limited, supervised, and generally require specialized expertise relevant to the needs of the host institution. This design allows the state to utilize the experience and competence of police personnel without creating role conflicts that could disrupt democratic governance.
Healthy Regeneration
One of the most publicly discussed changes is the adjustment of retirement ages.
For enlisted personnel and non-commissioned officers, the retirement age is increased to a maximum of 59 years. For junior, middle-ranking, and senior officers, the retirement age becomes 60 years.
For four-star generals, including the National Police Chief, the retirement age is set at a maximum of 60 years, with the possibility of a one-year extension or further extension as determined by the President.
This policy reflects changing demographic realities and the needs of modern organizations. Life expectancy in Indonesia continues to rise, while increasingly complex security challenges require experienced personnel with mature leadership and strategic understanding.
Nevertheless, this policy must be accompanied by a well-managed transition mechanism to prevent career bottlenecks. Healthy regeneration remains an important factor that must be carefully maintained.
Another strategic change is the strengthening of the police education system.
The curriculum will place greater emphasis on human rights, democracy, professional ethics, modern technology, cyber investigations, and crisis management.
This approach reflects the understanding that professionalism in twenty-first-century policing is no longer measured solely by the effective exercise of authority.
Professionalism is also determined by the ability to understand the limits of that authority within the framework of constitutional principles and human rights.
Modern police officers must be firm law enforcers while also serving as compassionate public servants. This is where the future face of Polri is being shaped.
Governance Foundations
The law also strengthens the role of Kompolnas and introduces various technical adjustments concerning budget governance and Polri’s position under the President, in accordance with the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Decree.
Although these issues may appear administrative, they are strategically important in building a more effective and accountable institutional governance system.
From a good governance perspective, institutional reform is not only about who has authority but also about how that authority is supervised, accounted for, and used to serve the public interest.
For this reason, even technical reforms contribute significantly to overall institutional quality.
Ultimately, the primary objective of these reforms is to build public trust.
No law enforcement institution can function effectively without the support and confidence of the people.
Trust is a form of social capital that cannot be purchased with budgets, imposed through authority, or created through slogans. It can only grow through consistent action.
This new law provides a stronger institutional framework to achieve that goal. However, the success of reform will depend heavily on its implementation.
Government regulations derived from the law must be carefully drafted. Police leadership must demonstrate a strong commitment to the reform agenda. Kompolnas, the DPR, academics, the media, and civil society must also continue performing their oversight roles constructively.
True reform does not end with the enactment of legislation. It begins when every legal norm is translated into real-world practice.
Therefore, the enactment of the Third Amendment to the Indonesian National Police Law should be welcomed as an important milestone in the ongoing reform of Indonesia’s security sector.
It is not merely a regulatory change but an effort to strengthen one of the key pillars of the rule of law.
If implemented consistently, these reforms will produce a police institution that is increasingly professional, transparent, accountable, adaptive to changing times, and respectful of human rights.
In the end, this is precisely what Indonesia needs as a modern democracy: maintaining security without sacrificing freedom, enforcing the law without abandoning justice, and creating order without losing humanity.
Moh. Suaib Mappasila
- Expert Staff, Commission III, House of Representatives (DPR RI)
- Observer of Economic, Legal, and Social Issues
- Director, MZ Partnership
