Making police reform work
From high-profile killings and protest crackdowns to election interference, a string of scandals has pushed public trust in the National Police to a breaking point.
Public trust in the National Police has plummeted in recent years, prompting a change of leadership and a new chief, Gen. Suyudi Ario Seto. Since taking office on Oct. 1, he has initiated a major internal restructuring by replacing 22 provincial police chiefs. However, the paramount concern is not merely personnel changes; the public demands an accountable, transparent force free of systemic abuse.
Decades of corruption, collusion, and nepotism have plagued recruitment and promotions, often based on financial incentives and familial connections rather than merit. The police force has long been marred by militaristic policing, arbitrary fines, and territorial disputes with the Indonesian Military, exacerbated by recent incidents like the 2022 Kanjuruhan Stadium stampede and the August 2025 death of a ride-hailing driver.
With a mandate derived from the Commission for the Acceleration of Police Reform and the revised Police Law, Suyudi faces the challenge of enforcing new regulations and digital transformation initiatives. The success of these measures hinges on their consistent application across the board, with stringent penalties for violators.
To gain public trust, the police force must shift from discretionary transparency to verifiable accountability, publishing recruitment criteria, real-time testing results, and promotion records while inviting independent oversight from civil society and the media. Merit-based advancement is not a concession but an essential component of a constitutional state governed by the rule of law. The public will be closely watching to determine if Suyudi delivers on his promise of reform.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
