| Indonesian National Police Kepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia | |
|---|---|
Insignia of the National Police | |
National Police badge | |
Flag of the National Police | |
| Abbreviation | POLRI |
| Motto | Sanskrit:Rastra Sewakottama (Serving the Nation) |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 19 August 1945; 80 years ago (1945-08-19) (as State Police Agency) 1 July 1946; 79 years ago (1946-07-01) (official anniversary) |
| Employees | 440,000 (2020) |
| Legal personality | Police force |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| National agency (Operations jurisdiction) | Indonesia |
| Operations jurisdiction | Indonesia |
| Legal jurisdiction | National |
| Constituting instrument |
|
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta |
| Agency executives |
|
| Notables | |
| Anniversary |
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| Website | |
| www | |

TheIndonesian National Police (Indonesian:Kepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia,lit. 'The State Police of the Republic of Indonesia', abbreviated asPOLRI) is the nationallaw enforcement andpolice force of theRepublic of Indonesia. Founded on 19 August 1945 and became an independent agency on 1 July 1946, it was formerly a part of thecountry's military since 1962. The police were formally separated from the armed forces on 1 April 1999 in a process which was formally completed on 1 July 1999.[2]
The organization is now independent and is under the direct auspices of thePresident of Indonesia. The Indonesian National Police is responsible for law enforcement and policing duties all over Indonesia. The organization is widely known for its corruption, violence/brutality, and incompetence.[3][4]
The Indonesian National Police also takes part in internationalUnited Nations missions, and, after special training, provided security for theUNAMID mission to protect internally-displaced people inDarfur.[5]
In total, per 2020 the total personnel that the Indonesian National Police possesses is 440,000,[6] and the number is increasing every year, it includes 34,000Brimob personnel,[7] with up-to 7,000water andaviation police personnel.[8] Polri is also assisted by an estimated 1 million members ofSenkom Mitra Polri volunteers throughout the country which arecivilians that assist the police.[9]
The headquarters of the Indonesian National Police is located inKebayoran Baru, South Jakarta and the Indonesian National Police hotline-emergency number is110 which serves all over Indonesia 24 hours.[10]

While Indonesia was underDutch colonial rule, police duties were performed either by military establishments or the colonial police, known as theVeldpolitie orfield police.[11]Japanese occupation duringWorld War II brought changes when the Japanese formed various armed organisations to support their war effort. This led to militarily-trained youths being armed with confiscated Dutch arms to perform police duties.
After the Japanese occupation, the national police became an armed organization.[citation needed] The Indonesian police was established on 19 August 1945 (under the title of the National Police Agency (Badan Kepolisian Negara)) and its units fought in theIndonesian National Revolution against the invading Dutch forces. The police would later be renamed the National Police Service (Djawatan Kepolisian Negara) under theMinistry of Home Affairs and on 1 June 1946, it became an independent agency under theprime minister. The police also participated in suppressing the 1948 communist revolt inMadiun. In 1962, the police was brought under the control of the Commander of the National Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence, becoming the Indonesian Police Forces (Angkatan Kepolisian). Following theproclamation of independence, the police played a vital role when they actively supported the people's movement toa dismantle the Japanese army, and to strengthen the defence of the newly created Republic of Indonesia. The police were one of the non-combatants who were required to surrender their weapons to theAllied forces. During theIndonesian National Revolution, the police gradually formed into what is now known asKepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia (Polri) or the Indonesian National Police. On 21 June 1962, the National Police was integrated under theArmed Forces (ABRI) and changed its name toAngkatan Kepolisian (Police Force), and its commander maintained the concurrent status of Minister of Defense and Security, reporting to the President, who is commander in chief. The commanding generals (later chiefs of staff) and the Chief of the National Police then all held ministerial status as members of the cabinet of the republic, while a number of higher-ranking officers were appointed to other cabinet posts. On 1 July 1969, the Police Force's name was reverted to "Polri". In April 1999, the police force officially regained its independence and since then has been a separate force from the armed forces proper.
1 July, which became National Police Day (Hari Bhayangkara), honours the anniversary of the 1946 Cabinet resolution placing the INP as a national agency subordinated directly to the government of the Republic and thus responsible to the President (formerly the Prime Minister).


The key tasks of the Indonesian National Police are to:
In carrying out these basic tasks, police are to:
The organization of the Indonesian National Police is hierarchical, headed by the POLRI general headquarters inKebayoran Baru. There is no differentiation between the central organization with its regional components.
Until 2010, there was also a police force division called Territorial Police Force (Kepolisian Wilayah, Polwil, formerlyKomando Wilayah Kepolisian, Komwik) positioned between Polda and Polres. Polwils' divisions were based onDutch East Indian residencies. The legacy of Polwils remain on thevehicle code on Indonesian vehicle registration plates.
The leadership elements headed not only the Police Force General Headquarters (Markas Besar Kepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia, abbreviatedMabes Polri) in Jakarta, but also the entire Indonesian National Police Force.
Inspectorate
Assistants to the Chief of Police
Divisions
Advisory Staff
TheAdvisory Staff to the Chief of Police (Staf Ahli Kapolri) advises the Chief of Police regarding strategic matters. The advisory staff consists of:
Each Regional Police headquarters (Polda) which covers a province oversees the following directorates:
| Units | Abbreviation | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Brigade Corps | Brimob | The Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob) is the elite/special forces unit of the Indonesian National Police. As aparamilitary andSWAT force, it takes the duties to handle high-threat law enforcement operations under the command of the regional police office (Polda). Brimob is also responsible to carry outriot control duties during high-levelcivil unrest situations to back up the regular units (Sabhara). Personnel of this unit are identifiable by their dark blueberets and they usually wear black uniforms during operational duty, during low-intensity law enforcement operations they usually wear the greyish-brown uniform such as the regular police units (but worn un-tucked). As aparamilitary organization, its training and equipment is almost identical to theIndonesian Army's ("TNI"), and it conventionally operates under joint military command in conflict areas such asPapua and, until 2005,Aceh.[12] |
| Gegana | - | Gegana is a unit within Brimob. It specializes in the field ofcounter-terrorism,bomb disposal, intelligence, anti-anarchist, andCBRN defence.[13] It also conductshostage rescue operations.[14] |
| Detachment 88 | Densus 88 | Detasemen Khusus 88,Delta 88, orDensus 88 is the counter-terrorism squad of the Indonesian Police Force. Formed on 30 June 2003 after the2002 Bali bombings, it is funded, equipped, and trained by theUnited States[15] andAustralia.[16] |
The following fall under department police headquarters (Polres) of cities and regencies:
| Units | Abbreviation | Indonesian | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centre of Integrated Police Services | SPKT | Sentra Pelayanan Kepolisian Terpadu | The SPKT is responsible for providing police services to the public, in the form of first receipt and handling of reports/complaints, police assistance services, and other related functions to carry out security and crime identification/prevention activities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. |
| Intelligence and Security Unit | Sat-Intelkam | Satuan Intelijensi dan Keamanan | This unit is in charge of organizing / fostering the functions of Intelligence Security, including encryption, and service providers in the form of licenses / explanations concerning Foreigners, Firearms & Explosives, Sociopolitical Communities and Police Record Certificates (SKCK) to citizens in need and conduct supervision / security and its implementation. |
| Criminal Detective Unit | Sat-Reskrim | Satuan Reserse Kriminal | This unit is in charge of fostering Functions and conducting criminal investigation and detection activities, including the function of identification in the framework of law enforcement, coordination and supervision of operations and administration of investigation in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Officers of this unit wear civilian attire on duty |
| Drug Detective Unit | Sat-Resnarkoba | Satuan Reserse Narkoba | This unit is responsible for conducting investigations of criminal acts of drug abuse, including counseling and guidance in the prevention and rehabilitation of drug abuse victims. |
| Community and Society Development Unit | Sat-Binmas | Satuan Bina Masyarakat | This unit is in charge to carry out community guidance, including community empowerment activities, public order and coordination activities with other forms of security, as well as cooperative activities in maintaining security and public order. |
| Patrol Unit | Sat-Sabhara | Satuan Samapta Bhayangkara | TheSabhara is the versatile "public alert unit" of the Indonesian police which has the tasks to supervise and maintain the public order and security of an area. It conducts patrolling and acts as first-responding law enforcement officers to calls and crime scenes. This unit is also tasked to assist security in public areas such as banks and sometimes assist the traffic police if needed. Under the command of the Regional Police (Polda), this unit is the first unit dispatched to secure and control protests and also performriot control duties if necessary. Their patrol vehicles are colored grey and their personnel wear dark brown berets. |
| Traffic Unit | Sat-Lantas | Satuan Lalu Lintas | This unit is in charge for Traffic law enforcement, control, management, and patrolling affairs. Their patrol vehicles are colored white and blue and officers of this unit wear whitepeaked caps with reflective vests on duty. |
| Vital Object Protection Unit | Sat-Pamobvit | Satuan Pengamanan Obyek Vital | This unit serves the security activities of VIPs and important facilities, such as government officials,diplomatic missions, industrial complex and tourism areas.[17] Their patrol vehicles are colored orange and officers of this unit wear neckties on their uniform. |
| Marine and Air Police Unit | Sat-Polairud | Satuan Polisi Perairan dan Udara | This unit is responsible for carrying out the functions of aquatic police, which include water patrols, waters law enforcement, coastal community development and other waters, as well as search and rescue accidents in marine areas (SAR). They also provide air support to local area operations or in support of national level INP units. They wear light blue berets and light blue service uniforms/flight suits. |
| Detainees and Evidence Unit | Sat-Tahti | Satuan Tahanan dan Barang Bukti | This internal unit is in charge to organize prisoners' care, including prisoners' health care, guardianship and the receiving, storing and securing of evidence and their administration within the regional police headquarters, reporting the number and condition of the detainees in accordance with provisions of the law. |
| Information Technology Unit | Si-Tipol | Seksi Teknologi Informasi Polri | This unit is responsible for computer and IT system management and development for policing duties |
| Internal Security and Profession Unit | Si-Propam | Seksi Profesi dan Pengamanan | This unit is responsible to carry out internal investigation towards police personnel suspected of misconduct and also to enforce discipline towards police personnel. Officers of this unit are identifiable by their light blue berets and wear white belts withaiguillettes. |
In the early years, the Indonesian Police used European style police ranks, like "Brigadier", "Inspector", and "Commissioner". When the police were amalgamated with the military structure during the 1960s, thearmed forces' ranking system was brought in, using ranks such as "Captain", "Major", and "Colonel". In the year 2000, when the Indonesian Police transitioned into a fully independent force, they used British style ranks like "Constable" and "Superintendent", but returned to their original ranking system a year later, albeit with someIndonesianized elements to help bolster national pride.[18]
| Worn on: | General Officers | Senior Officers | Junior Officers | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceremonial Dress Uniform (PDU) | ||||||||||
| Service Uniform (PDH) | ||||||||||
| Field Uniform (PDL) on collar | ||||||||||
| Rank inIndonesian: | Jenderal Polisi (Jenderal Pol) | Komisaris Jenderal Polisi (Komjen Pol) | Inspektur Jenderal Polisi (Irjen Pol) | Brigadir Jenderal Polisi (Brigjen Pol) | Komisaris Besar Polisi (Kombes Pol) | Ajun Komisaris Besar Polisi (AKBP) | Komisaris Polisi (Kompol) | Ajun Komisaris Polisi (AKP) | Inspektur Polisi Satu (Iptu) | Inspektur Polisi Dua (Ipda) |
| Rank in English: | Police General | Police Commissioner General | Police Inspector General | Police Brigadier General | Police Chief Commissioner | Police Adjunct Chief Commissioner | Police Commissioner | Police Adjunct Commissioner | Police 1st Inspector | Police 2nd Inspector |
| Office or duty | Chief of National Police | Vice Chief, chief of national police organs | chief of regional police, vice chief of national police organs, chief of national police divisions, commandant Mobile Brigade (SWAT) corps | director of national police general directorates, vice chief of regional police | chief of departamental police, director of regional police directorates, regional police spokesperson | vice chief of departmental police | chief of sectoral police | chief of sectoral police | ||
| Worn on: | Sub-inspectors of Police (WO) | Constables (NCO) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceremonial Dress Uniform (PDU) | ||||||
| Service Uniform (PDH) | ||||||
| Field Uniform (PDL) on collar | ||||||
| Rank in Indonesian: | Ajun Inspektur Polisi Satu (Aiptu) | Ajun Inspektur Polisi Dua (Aipda) | Brigadir Polisi Kepala (Bripka) | Brigadir Polisi (Brigpol) | Brigadir Polisi Satu (Briptu) | Brigadir Polisi Dua (Bripda) |
| Rank in English: | Police 1st Sub-Inspector | Police 2nd Sub-Inspector | Police Chief Brigadier | Police Brigadier | Police 1st Brigadier | Police 2nd Brigadier |
The following ranks are only used by personnel serving in theMobile Brigade Corps andWater police units:
In the eyes of the people, the National Police force is "corrupt, brutal, and inept".[3] Even becoming a police officer can be expensive, with applicants having to pay up toRp 90 million, according to Indonesia Police Watch head, Neta Saputra Pane.[19]
In April 2009, angry that theCorruption Eradication Commission (KPK) had tapped his phone while investigating a corruption case, Indonesian Police chief detectiveSusno Duadji compared the KPK to a gecko (cicak) fighting a crocodile (buaya) meaning the police. Susno's comment, as it turned out, quickly backfired because the image of acicak standing up to abuaya (similar toDavid and Goliath imagery) immediately had wide appeal in Indonesia. A noisy popular movement in support of thecicak quickly emerged. Students staged pro-cicak demonstrations, many newspapers ran cartoons withcicaks lining up against an uglybuaya, and numerous TV talk shows took up thecicak versusbuaya topic with enthusiasm. As a result, references tocicaks fighting abuaya have become a well-known part of the political imagery of Indonesia.[20]
In June 2010, the Indonesian news magazineTempo published a report on "fat bank accounts" held by senior police officers containing billions of rupiah. When the magazine went on sale in the evening groups of men said by witnesses to be police officers, went to newsstands with piles of cash to try to buy all the copies before they could be sold.[21][22]
When KPK investigators tried to search Polri headquarters in 2010 as part of an investigation into Djoko Susilo, then the head of Korlantas (police corps of traffic), they were detained, and only released following the intervention of the president,Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Following a trial, Djoko was jailed for 18 years. Two years later, the KPK began investigating another senior police officer, Budi Gunawan, who was subsequently nominated for the post of National Police Chief. The KPK then named Budi a suspect and his nomination was withdrawn. However, he was later sworn in as deputy police chief. The police subsequently took revenge by charging three KPK commissioners with criminal offenses.[23][24]
Amnesty International has accused Polri of "widespread" torture and other abuses of arrested individuals.[25] According to the organization, "Police in Indonesia shoot, beat and even kill people without fear of prosecution, leaving their victims with little hope of justice".[26]
In 2014 theHuman Rights Watch reported that a physicalvirginity test is routinely performed on female applicants to the police force.[27][28]
An official admission of violence by police officers came in 2016 when Chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti admitted that officers of theDetachment 88 anti-terror unit were responsible for the death in custody of terrorist suspect Siyono, who died of heart failure after being kicked hard enough in the chest to fracture his ribs. TheIndonesian National Commission on Human Rights stated in March 2016 that at least 121 terror suspects had died in custody since 2007[29]
Amnesty International called in June 2019 for an investigation of "credible evidence" of a range of grave violations by police, who it alleged were responsible for 10 unlawful killings in the aftermath of the re-election of president Joko Widodo.[30]
In July 2020, the IndonesianCommission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS) issued a report detailing police brutality over the preceding year that resulted in 304 deaths and 1,627 injuries in 921 violent incidents. The report also mentioned arbitrary arrests of people demonstrating legally, and acts of discrimination towardsethnic Papuans.[31] The following year, the same organization reported 651 acts of violence against civilians resulting in 13 deaths and 98 injuries. Most of the deaths were caused by excessive violence and arbitrary shootings.[32]
In the summer of 2022, an investigation into themurder of Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat, an Indonesian police officer, overcame an alleged cover-up by police generals to conceal an alleged premeditated murder committed by Inspector GeneralFerdy Sambo, head of internal affairs of the Indonesian National Police, and four others,[33] including Sambo's wife.[34] The chair of Indonesia Police Watch called the affair "the worst scandal in the police's history".[35]Ferdy Sambo was sentenced to death (later commuted to life imprisonment), with Amnesty Indonesia stating "the case should serve as a reminder to the police that it needed to make serious improvements in its internal operations and that this was not the first time that a police officer had been involved in an extrajudicial killing".[36]
On 1 October 2022, Indonesian riot police deployed tear gas insideKanjuruhan Stadium in response to a pitch invasion and clashes with football supporters,[37] which triggered astampede of people in the stadium trying to escape from the effects of the gas.[38] A crush formed at an exit, resulting in fans beingasphyxiated. As a result, 134 people died, and more than 500 were injured.[39] TheNational Commission on Human Rights in Indonesia (KOMNAS HAM) investigated the use of tear gas by police, and found that the Indonesian National Police were one of 6 parties responsible for the tragedy due to excessive use of tear gas inside the stadium.[40] Other visual investigations, such as one byNarasi, also highlighted the force's excessive use of tear gas.[41] Out of the 3 commanding officers that were charged for giving the order for tear gas to be fired,[42] only 1 was given an 18-month sentence, whilst the other officers were acquitted, in a verdict deemed "an offense to the public's sense of justice".[43]

The standard issue sidearm to all Indonesian National Police officers is theTaurus Model 82 revolver in.38 Special. While police personnel attached to special units such asDetachment 88, Gegana andBRIMOB are issued with theGlock 17 semi-automatic pistol.
Heavy arms are always available to Indonesian police personnel, such as theHeckler & Koch MP5 sub-machine gun,Remington 870 shotgun,Steyr AUG assault rifle,AK-101,M4 carbine,SIG MCX,SIG MPX,M1 Carbine. and other weapons. The standard rifle for the Indonesian National Police are thePindad SS1 and theM16 rifle. Units are also issued the"Sabhara"/Police V1-V2 Pindad SS1 special law enforcement assault rifle.
The police vehicles that are usually operated by the Indonesian Police ("Polri") forpatrol andlaw enforcement activities are mainly,Mitsubishi Lancer,Hyundai Elantra (for some police regions),Mitsubishi Strada/Triton,Isuzu D-Max,Nissan Almera,Ford Ranger andNissan Navara. Such vehicles are usually operated by the "Sabhara" police unit and other units which the vehicles are mainly colored dark-grey. In some areas, usually in rural places, the vehicles are not up-to date compared to the ones in the major urban areas in the country, so some police vehicles still use older versions such as theToyota Kijang andMitsubishi Kuda.
Special Investigation units usually operate in blackToyota Avanza and some are unmarked vehicles. Police laboratory and forensics ("Puslabfor") units are issued dark-grey policeSuzuki APV,Isuzu D-Max,Ford Ranger,Toyota Fortuner orMitsubishi Fuso Canter vehicles.
The Traffic Police Corps ("Korlantas") usually uses vehicles such as theMazda 6,Mitsubishi Lancer,Mitsubishi Galant V6,Toyota Vios,Toyota Corolla,Hyundai Ioniq,Mitsubishi Pajero Sport,Toyota Fortuner (usually for escort),Hyundai Elantra,Tesla Model 3 (mostly inJakarta), Ford Ranger,Hino Dutro,Isuzu MU-X, andToyota Hilux (coloured white and blue). Some vehicles for traffic patrol are also used such as theToyota Rush andDaihatsu Terios and suzuki grand vittara.Sedan types are usually used for highway and road patrolling and escort.Double-Cab types are usually used for Traffic incidents and traffic management law enforcement activities.
Police vehicles colouredorange usuallyFord Focus andMitsubishi Lancer sedans and white-orangeChevrolet Captiva are operated by the Vital Object Protection unit ("Pam Obvit") and usually parked outside and operated for international embassies, airports, and other special specified locations. It is also used by the Tourist police for patrol.
For the paramilitary police,counter-terrorism and anti-riot units such as theMobile Brigade or "Brimob",Detachment 88 and "Gegana" units usually use special costumed vehicles for special operations such as thePindad Komodo, Barracuda 4x4Light Armoured personnel carrier or light APC, Panus 4x4 Light Armored Patrol Car, DAPC 1/2 4x4 Light Armoured Transport Vehicle, and modified armoredMitsubishi Strada,Nissan Terrano and other special double-cabin andSUV vehicle types. Vehicles are coloured dark-grey with the bumper colouredorange identifying vehicles of the special police units. Some special operational "Gegana" and "Densus 88" vehicles are colouredblack also withorange bumpers.
Other customised vehicles used for mobilisation of police personnel are usually modifiedSuzuki Mega Carry,Isuzu Elf andToyota Dyna with horizontal side sitting facilities inside of the trunk covered by dark colored canvas for canopy. Costumed patrol pick-ups with mounted sitting facilities on the trunk covered with canopy are also operated by the police to carry police personnel duringpatrol, the pick-ups are usuallyIsuzu Panther pick-ups and usually operate in rural areas.
For high-ranking officers (usually generals), issued cars are usually grey (some black) full to compactsedans and Mid to Full-sizedSUVs. Such cars are mainlychauffeuredToyota Camry,Hyundai Sonata,Toyota Land Cruiser,Suzuki Grand Vitara andToyota Prado. Some use blackToyota Innova.
Ford Focus mostly not used anymore for Korlantas and Sabhara only small uses, while MPVs likeHonda Mobilio and Toyota Innova sometimes used for Korlantas unit for patrol and escort.

The National Police Force of Indonesia had changes for uniform colours on at least three separate occasions. The periods are:
Based on the regulation of the Chief of the Indonesian National Police,[44] there are four types of uniform worn by police personnel which are:
Ceremonial and service uniform are equipped withgorget paches (officially called "Monogram"). Higher officers (Brigadier General above) wear red while the rest wear dark brown.
Field and service uniform are equipped with office badge on left sleeve, and corps badge on the right sleeve. Officer with command held wears his/her DUI (Lencana Tanda Jabatan) on the right pocket of the dress or service uniform and usually carriesbaton (called tongkat komando) while others don't.
Headgears and beret colors:
The National Police Pledge is a pledge of loyalty and fidelity of all sworn personnel and constables to the government and people of Indonesia, the principles of nationhood and the Constitution.[45][46]
| Original Indonesian | English |
|---|---|
| Kami, Polisi Indonesia: | We, (policemen and women) of Indonesia: |
| 1.Berbakti kepada nusa dan bangsa dengan penuh ketakwaan terhadap Tuhan yang Maha Esa. | Swear therefore our loyalty to serve the people and nation with full reverence to the One True God, |
| 2.Menjunjung tinggi kebenaran, keadilan dan kemanusiaan dalam menegakkan hukum negara kesatuan Republik Indonesia yang berdasarkan Pancasila dan undang-undang dasar 1945. | to uphold the values of truth, justice and humanity in our duties in the protection of the laws of the unitary Republic of Indonesia, based on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, |
| 3.Senantiasa melindungi, mengayomi dan melayani masyarakat dengan keikhlasan untuk mewujudkan keamanan dan ketertiban. | and to always protect, preserve and serve to the community with sincerity in order to develop public order and security. |