TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) has noted that the Indonesian National Police (Polri) institution still frequently uses excessive and arbitrary force in both law enforcement and security. In conjunction with the 80th Bhayangkara Day on July 1, 2026, KontraS released the results of its monitoring and advocacy conducted from July 2025 to June 2026.
In its report, KontraS recorded 23 cases of extrajudicial killings, resulting in 29 deaths. “16 cases of extrajudicial killings occurred due to shooting and nine others due to torture,” said KontraS Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya.
Furthermore, KontraS documented 123 incidents of arbitrary arrests involving 4,631 citizens. KontraS also documented 19 cases of mistaken identity leading to 14 injuries. Of this number, nine incidents involved torture, one incident involved shooting, and one other incident involved inhuman acts.
“Various events indicate that violations of the principles of proportionality, necessity, and legality, which should be mandatory guidelines in every police action, still frequently occur in the police’s performance of duties,” said Dimas.
According to KontraS, impunity within Polri’s internal system contributes to the recurring practice of extrajudicial killings. The organization believes that Polri has not effectively applied criminal sanctions or disciplinary and ethical sanctions against members who commit violations.
KontraS also criticized the new Polri Law, which was enacted on June 9, 2026. In this regulation, Polri is tasked with “protecting and securing vital national objects,” including “carrying out other duties in accordance with the provisions of the laws and regulations.”
According to KontraS, this provision opens the door for the government to expand Polri’s duties through laws and regulations. “Thus, it allows Polri to be given very broad tasks in line with the government’s desires or interests,” said Dimas.
KontraS believes that Polri needs to tighten internal supervision mechanisms and strengthen accountability for its members. The organization also urges Polri to impose sanctions on members proven to have committed violations, whether through ethical code mechanisms or criminal law if necessary.
“KontraS urges the Polri to abandon the culture of violence and impunity by making serious improvements to the supervision mechanisms and accountability of police members, especially in relation to human rights aspects,” said Dimas.
Read: KontraS Says Police Detained 24 Surabaya Protesters
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