Civil Policing in Developed Countries: A Model for Public Safety and Order

By:
MYR Agung Sidayu
Chairman of yayasan pendidikan Indonesia
Special Consultative Status in ECOSOC
United Nations

Introduction

In developed countries, police forces operate as civilian institutions with a central role in maintaining public safety, order, and law enforcement. Unlike the military, which focuses on national defense and strategic operations, police forces in nations such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, and others are designed to serve communities directly, guided by principles of law and public service.

This article examines the key characteristics of civilian policing in developed countries, including the separation of police and military functions, community-oriented policing, organizational structure and training, and mechanisms for civilian accountability. It also compares these models with Indonesia’s police force, which is transitioning from a militaristic legacy, and highlights recent reform initiatives led by President Prabowo Subianto in September 2025. These reforms, particularly the second phase, aim to become a historic legacy of Prabowo’s leadership, driven by the September 2025 demonstrations and the principle that nothing happens for nothing.

The reforms emphasize transforming the Indonesian National Police (Polri) into a community-oriented institution while maintaining its current structure but opening leadership opportunities to highly qualified candidates, including both Police Academy (Akpol) graduates and non-Akpol individuals. A notable example is Commissioner General Rudy Heriyanto Adi Nugroho, former Banten Police Chief, known for his humanistic approach and currently serving as Secretary General of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

Separation of Police and Military Functions

A hallmark of policing in developed countries is the clear distinction between police and military roles. Police forces operate as civilian entities tasked with domestic issues such as crime prevention, law enforcement, and community protection. In contrast, the military addresses external threats or national emergencies, such as war or armed conflict. This separation ensures a balance between public safety and human rights protection.

In the UK, for instance, the police operate under the Home Office, not the Ministry of Defence. Known as “bobbies,” British police emphasize community collaboration. In the US, local police departments (e.g., city or county police) report to civilian authorities like mayors or city councils. Japan’s National Police Agency oversees prefectural police forces focused on domestic security.

This separation extends beyond organizational structure to operational philosophy. Police in developed countries are designed to be approachable, fostering harmonious community relationships rather than acting as an oppressive force often associated with the military.

Community-Oriented Policing: Policing by Consent

Many developed countries adopt the principle of policing by consent, first developed by Sir Robert Peel in 19th-century Britain. This principle asserts that police authority derives from public trust and support, not coercion or intimidation. Police must work with, not against, communities.

In the UK, most police officers do not carry firearms during routine duties, a decision that minimizes confrontational perceptions and promotes a humanistic approach to law enforcement. Officers are trained to prioritize communication and negotiation, handling situations ranging from minor disputes to public unrest. Similar approaches are evident in New Zealand and Scandinavian countries like Norway, where police carry firearms only in specific circumstances with special authorization, emphasizing de-escalation. This approach enhances public trust and reduces police-related violence.

Police Structure and Training

Police forces in developed countries are structured to support civilian duties, typically operating under civilian authorities such as interior ministries or local governments, not defense ministries. This ensures a focus on community needs rather than military operations.

Training emphasizes civilian skills such as conflict mediation, criminal investigation, crowd management, and traffic law enforcement. In Japan, police recruits undergo rigorous training in law, ethics, and communication alongside basic law enforcement techniques. In the US, police academies teach crime response procedures, proportionate use of force, and cultural diversity awareness.

Unlike military training, which prioritizes combat tactics and strict discipline, police training focuses on flexibility and adaptability to complex civilian situations. However, specialized units like the US SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) or France’s GIGN (Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale) receive paramilitary training to handle serious threats like terrorism or armed crime, though they remain under civilian command and are deployed only in exceptional circumstances.

Civilian Accountability: Transparency and Oversight

A cornerstone of policing in developed countries is accountability to the public. Various civilian oversight mechanisms ensure police act within legal and ethical boundaries. In the UK, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigates public complaints and police misconduct. In the US, many cities have civilian oversight boards to monitor police performance and ensure transparency. In Nordic countries like Sweden, police are subject to strict civilian oversight to prevent abuses of power.

These mechanisms differ from the military’s more insular, chain-of-command-based oversight. Transparent and independent investigations into police errors or misconduct help uphold justice for both the public and police officers, maintaining public trust.

Exceptions: Specialized Police Units

While most police forces in developed countries are civilian in nature, specialized units trained in paramilitary tactics exist for extreme situations. Units like the US SWAT, France’s GIGN, or Germany’s SEK (Spezialeinsatzkommando) are equipped and trained similarly to military forces to address threats like terrorism or hostage crises. However, these units remain under civilian command and are subject to the same legal frameworks as regular police, used only in high-risk scenarios.

Comparison with Indonesia’s Police: Challenges and Reforms

While developed countries have established civilian police systems, Indonesia’s National Police (Polri) is still transitioning from its militaristic roots post-1998 reforms. Historically part of the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI), Polri was formally separated under Law No. 2 of 2002. Polri operates centrally under the Chief of National Police, reporting directly to the President, unlike the decentralized models in the US or UK.

Although Polri is formally a civilian institution under the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, its militaristic legacy persists in training and organizational culture, often resulting in confrontational approaches rather than community-oriented policing like the UK’s policing by consent. Indonesian police carry firearms during routine duties, unlike many developed countries, and training emphasizes paramilitary discipline over conflict mediation.

Accountability remains a challenge. The National Police Commission (Kompolnas) oversees Polri, but its independence is often questioned, unlike robust independent bodies like the UK’s IOPC. High-profile incidents, such as alleged human rights violations during the August 2025 demonstrations, highlight these issues. According to civil society data, 602 incidents of police violence occurred between July 2024 and June 2025, underscoring the need for reform to enhance legitimacy and law enforcement outcomes, where Indonesia lags behind countries like Norway or Japan in the World Internal Security and Police Index (WISPI).

President Prabowo Subianto’s Police Reform Plan: A Historic Legacy

In September 2025, President Prabowo Subianto launched significant police reforms in response to public demands and the August 2025 demonstrations, embodying the principle that nothing happens for nothing. On September 11, 2025, during a meeting with the National Conscience Movement (GNB), including figures like Sinta Nuriyah, Quraish Shihab, and Laode Syarif, Prabowo approved the formation of a Police Reform Committee via a Presidential Decree. The committee is tasked with comprehensively evaluating Polri’s structure, reviewing its duties, authority, and scope under the 2002 Police Law, and proposing revisions to limit unchecked powers, such as arrests without oversight.

According to State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, the reforms aim to improve Polri while preserving public support for the institution, involving community leaders. Prabowo appointed General Ahmad Dofiri as Special Presidential Advisor on Security, Public Order, and Police Reform, while Chief of Police Listyo Sigit Prabowo established an internal Police Reform Transformation Team with 52 senior officers on September 17, 2025, aligned with Polri’s 2025–2045 Grand Strategy.

The second phase of reforms focuses on strengthening accountability and fostering a community-oriented policing culture, aiming to become a historic legacy of Prabowo’s leadership. The August 2025 demonstrations catalyzed these changes, proving that public pressure can drive lasting progress. The reforms aim to embed principles like policing by consent, proven effective in developed countries, to enhance Polri’s legitimacy.

The initiative has garnered support from the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) and institutions like Lemkapi, which see it as an opportunity to boost professionalism and accountability. However, civil society groups like YLBHI and ICJR urge the committee to remain independent, bold, and focused on decentralization, prohibiting dual roles, and independently investigating demonstration-related violence. The committee’s formation is imminent, with member announcements expected soon, reflecting Prabowo’s commitment to aligning with public aspirations. The Indonesia Education Foundation strongly supports the inclusion of Prof. Mahfud MD in the committee.

Non-Akpol Police Chief: An Innovative Step Toward Community-Oriented Policing

A key reform proposal is appointing a non-Akpol Police Chief to foster a more inclusive, humanistic Polri. In developed countries, police leadership often comes from diverse civilian or academic backgrounds, as seen in the UK’s Metropolitan Police Commissioner. This approach allows for flexible, responsive leadership.

In Indonesia, the tradition of Akpol graduates as Police Chiefs has fostered a strong internal culture but is criticized for perpetuating militaristic approaches and limiting innovation. Opening leadership to qualified non-Akpol candidates could introduce diverse, professional perspectives. Analysts like Selamat Ginting from Universitas Nasional highlight this opportunity, especially with the retirement of Akpol classes of 1989–1990, opening the door for new leadership.

A potential candidate is Commissioner General Rudy Heriyanto Adi Nugroho, former Banten Police Chief (2020–2023) and current Secretary General of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries since March 2025. A law graduate from the University of Lampung and a 1993 Police Officer School alumnus (non-Akpol), Rudy is a professor of law and a former guest lecturer. His career includes key roles like West Jakarta Metro Police Chief (2015–2016), Director of Criminal Investigation at Metro Jaya Police (2016–2017), and Director of Economic and Special Crimes at Polri’s Criminal Investigation Agency (2017–2018), where he tackled major cases like rice mafias and land fraud in Banten.

Known for his humanistic approach, Rudy built a press center at West Jakarta Metro Police to enhance transparency and maintained close ties with media, religious leaders, and communities. He led the legal team in the sensitive Novel Baswedan acid attack case. His name emerged in the 2025 Police Chief candidacy due to his non-confrontational, professional track record, aligning with reform demands for a people-centric Polri. Appointing someone like Rudy could catalyze change, bringing an academic, humanistic perspective to Polri’s leadership.

However, appointing a non-Akpol Police Chief faces challenges, including internal resistance from Polri’s Akpol-centric culture and perceptions that non-Akpol candidates may lack understanding of police dynamics. To succeed, candidates must be highly qualified, with strong records in law enforcement, leadership, and community engagement, as exemplified by Rudy Heriyanto.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite their strengths, civilian police systems in developed countries face criticism. In the US, issues like police brutality, racial discrimination, and excessive force have sparked movements like Black Lives Matter, pushing for greater accountability. Other countries face challenges like corruption or resource shortages.

In Indonesia, Prabowo’s reforms aim to address similar criticisms, including police brutality and lack of transparency, to align Polri with civilian models in developed countries. Appointing a qualified non-Akpol Police Chief is a strategic step, but success depends on consistent implementation, internal Polri support, and public participation. The August 2025 demonstrations underscore the power of civil society to drive positive change, and the second phase of reforms is poised to be a historic milestone in building a more humane, accountable Polri.

Conclusion

Police forces in developed countries demonstrate how civilian institutions can effectively maintain public safety without militaristic approaches. Through clear separation from the military, policing by consent, civilian-focused training, and robust accountability mechanisms, these forces act as community partners rather than oppressors.

In Indonesia, despite its formal separation from the military, Polri faces challenges of centralization and a paramilitary legacy. However, President Prabowo Subianto’s 2025 reforms, including the Police Reform Committee and opening leadership to qualified Akpol and non-Akpol candidates, offer hope for a community-oriented Polri. Figures like Commissioner General Rudy Heriyanto Adi Nugroho, with his humanistic and professional track record, exemplify potential leaders for this transformation. Catalyzed by the August 2025 demonstrations, which proved that nothing happens for nothing, these reforms aim to become a historic legacy, positioning Polri as a robust yet people-centric institution.

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