Kepolisian

Kepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia (Polri), commonly referred to as Kepolisian or Polri, is the national police force of Indonesia. It is a civilian law‑enforcement agency responsible for maintaining public order and safety, enforcing laws, protecting lives and property, preventing crime, and delivering policing services to the public. The force operates under the President as a non‑ministerial government agency and is subject to supervisory oversight by the state and parliament.

Historically, Indonesian policing traces its origins to the Dutch colonial era and the colonial Police (Politie). After independence in 1945, it developed into a national police service. Following reforms in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the police were professionalized and separated from the military to emphasize civilian policing and respect for human rights.

Organizationally, Polri operates at national and regional levels. The Chief of Police heads the force, with regional police offices (Polda) governing provinces and police at district/city levels (Polres). Internal directorates cover general policing, criminal investigation (Reserse), traffic (Lalu Lintas), public order (Sabhara), and specialized units such as the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) and counter‑terrorism Detasemen Khusus 88 (Densus 88).

Functions include crime prevention and investigation, traffic management, border and immigration cooperation, cybercrime response, and disaster and emergency operations. Polri is guided by domestic law and international human rights standards and is accountable to the President, with oversight by Parliament and internal supervisory bodies. It also engages in community policing and public‑safety initiatives.