Prabowo Approves Revision of the Police Law, Regulates Civil Service to Retirement Age

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto has ratified Law Number 5 of 2026 concerning the Third Amendment to Law Number 2 of 2002 concerning the Indonesian National Police (Polri) which contains a number of crucial provisions.

These provisions range from the placement of active members of the National Police in positions outside the institution, changes to retirement age, to opportunities for people with disabilities to become members of the police.

Reported by ANTARA from the JDIH website of the State Secretariat Ministry, based on a copy of the law enacted by President Prabowo Subianto on June 17, 2026, one of the important changes is contained in Article 28A paragraph 1 which regulates members of the National Police can fill positions outside the National Police organization as long as they have a relationship with the police function.

The provision is detailed in paragraph 2 which states that the position can be in a ministry or agency that organizes matters related to maintaining public security and order, public protection and services, and law enforcement.

Article 28A paragraph 3 also stipulates that members of the National Police can fill positions outside the institution if there is a request from a ministry or agency that requires the expertise possessed by members of the National Police.

Meanwhile, paragraph 4 opens the possibility of assigning members of the National Police outside the organization based on the assignment of the President.

Other changes are contained in Article 30 paragraph 5 which regulates the retirement age of members of the National Police based on the rank of appointment. Letter a sets the retirement age of non-commissioned officers and soldiers at a maximum of 59 years, letter b regulates the retirement age of first officers, middle officers, and senior officers at a maximum of 60 years, while letter c regulates senior officers with four stars can be extended for a maximum of one year according to the needs set by Presidential Decree.

In addition, Article 30 paragraph 7 provides for an extension of service period of up to one year for members of the National Police who have special expertise and/or are highly needed in police duties.

The law also opens up opportunities for people with disabilities to become members of the National Police. This provision is regulated in Article 21 paragraph 2 which states that Indonesian citizens with disabilities can be appointed as members of the National Police as long as they have the competencies required by the institution.

In terms of police duties, Article 14 paragraph 1 letter h adds the duty of the National Police to carry out the prevention of cyber crimes and coordinate with relevant ministries or agencies.

Meanwhile, the letter o regulates the duties of the National Police to protect and secure national vital objects which include important installations, strategic natural resources, and activities that have a significant influence on national stability.

The law also added Article 19A which regulates the principle of carrying out police duties. In paragraph 1 it is emphasized that members of the National Police in carrying out their duties and authority must be guided by the principles of professionalism, proportionality, transparency, and accountability.

Article 2 regulates the implementation of a supervisory system through the functions of the inspectorate, supervision of investigations, and professions and security, while Article 3 opens up the use of technology and science in the supervision system.

In the explanation of the law, the use of this technology includes the use of body worn cameras, surveillance cameras (CCTV), artificial intelligence technology, community complaint systems, and other technologies that support modern policing.

In the field of education, Article 32A paragraph 1 requires the National Police to develop a curriculum that contains human rights protection, democracy, and the application of humanist principles in every police action.

Article 2 requires the National Police to submit reports related to education management, integrity improvement, and organizational culture to the President and the DPR.

Another change in the law is the strengthening of the role of the National Police Commission (Kompolnas). Based on Article 38 paragraph 1, in addition to helping the President set the direction of the Polri policy and provide consideration in the appointment and dismissal of the National Police Chief, Kompolnas is also tasked with providing input regarding the development of integrity, professionalism, organizational culture, and performance of the National Police.

Article 38 paragraph 2 also adds the function of Kompolnas, including receiving suggestions and complaints from the public regarding the performance of the National Police to be submitted to the President and the National Police Chief, providing input regarding the police education curriculum, and providing consideration regarding the establishment of a code of ethics for the police profession.

In the general explanation of the law, the government said the changes were made to adjust to the legal needs of the community, the development of the legal enforcement paradigm, and to encourage a more professional, transparent, and integrated modernization of the National Police, and to uphold the protection of human rights.