RPI Survey: Majority of the Public is Optimistic that the Transformation of the Police Culture Will Be Realized in 2026

JAKARTA - The results of the latest survey by the Indonesian Political House (RPI) show that the majority of the Indonesian people are optimistic that the transformation of the Polri culture will be realized in 2026. Public optimism is considered inseparable from the leadership model of the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo through the PRESIS agenda (Predictive, Accountability, and Transparent Justice) which places organizational culture reform as the main foundation of the Polri transformation.

RPI Executive Director Fernando Emas conveyed the results of the survey in the launch of a research entitled National Survey of Public Optimism towards the Transformation of the Polri Culture in Jakarta, Monday, January 12.

"Based on the results of the latest survey we conducted, the majority of the public admitted that they were optimistic that the transformation of the culture of the National Police would occur in 2026. The views and experiences of the public as direct recipients of police services are important indicators to assess whether the cultural change is felt and considered sustainable," said Fernando.

The RPI survey noted that as many as 76.2 percent of respondents expressed optimism - both quite optimistic, optimistic, and very optimistic - about the realization of the transformation of the Polri culture in 2026. Meanwhile, 19.9 percent of respondents admitted to being less optimistic and 3.9 percent of others said they did not know or did not answer.

In addition, about 67.8 percent of respondents were also optimistic that the National Police would have the courage to carry out internal corrections in 2026. Meanwhile, 22.2 percent of respondents expressed less optimism, while 10 percent chose not to know or not answer.

The survey also showed a number of positive public perceptions of the direction of Polri reform. As many as 72.2 percent of respondents are optimistic that there will be a significant shift from a militaristic culture to civilian policing. Then, 69.2 percent of the public are optimistic that Polri will be more oriented towards public service than power, and 75.9 percent of respondents assess that Polri's leadership will be a role model.

Meanwhile, 65.6 percent of respondents expressed optimism that the National Police would be more responsive in dealing with cybercrime, transnational crime, and other forms of modern crime. On the other hand, as many as 73.1 percent of respondents are also optimistic that the National Police will be able to strengthen the community policing approach by 2026.

Fernando assessed that public optimism emerged because the public saw the consistency of the National Police in carrying out the transformation agenda, one of which was through the formation of the National Police Transformation Team by the National Police Chief. In addition, the courage of the National Police in carrying out internal corrections against members who violate the rules is also an important factor.

"Transparency in governance and the modernization of services are also a concern for respondents when assessing the seriousness of the National Police in carrying out transformation," said Fernando.

However, he emphasized the need for improvements in the aspect of law enforcement, especially regarding the certainty of the time to handle cases, so that public confidence and optimism in the transformation of the National Police will increase.

This RPI survey was conducted on January 2-9, 2026, with 1,200 respondents over the age of 17 years spread across 30 provinces in Indonesia. The method used was multistage random sampling with a margin of error of 2.8 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.