Brimob

Brimob, short for Korps Brigade Mobil, is the elite paramilitary corps of the Indonesian National Police (POLRI). It functions as the police’s primary reserve for high-risk operations, including counter-terrorism, riot control, and urban warfare, as well as disaster response, VIP protection, and security operations in complex environments. Brimob operates under the Mobile Brigade Command within POLRI and maintains regional units across Indonesia, along with specialized detachments focused on tactical operations, explosive ordnance disposal, and reconnaissance.

History and role: The unit traces its origins to the Indonesian National Revolution, when police forces organized mobile brigades to respond to insurgencies and civil unrest. Since then Brimob has evolved into a nationwide, highly trained force responsible for counter-terrorism and other high-risk operations, both in domestic crises and in international security cooperation and training programs.

Training and equipment: Members are drawn from police ranks and receive rigorous training in small-unit tactics, marksmanship, urban warfare, and crisis management. The unit uses armored vehicles, communications gear, breaching tools, and other specialized equipment suited to rapid response and high-risk operations.

Contemporary context: Brimob has been involved in crowd-control scenarios during protests and in counter-terrorism operations, and has faced scrutiny over human rights concerns. In response, POLRI has pursued reforms aimed at professionalization, accountability, and adherence to legal standards, while maintaining Brimob as a core capability within Indonesia’s security framework.