The combination of academics and high-ranking police officers is not common. However, Komjen Rudy Heriyanto proved that the two could go hand in hand. He integrated his capacity as a police general as well as a professor of law in his work.
February 2022 became an important milestone when Rudy was confirmed as Professor of Police Mediation at the Faculty of Law, University of Lampung. In his scientific oration, he highlighted the Indonesian criminal justice system which was considered too focused on retaliation rather than recovery.
The restorative justice concept that Rudy carries often reaps controversy. This is because this mechanism allows certain cases to be resolved through mediation between the perpetrator and the victim without a prison sentence. According to him, this step can reduce the burden of overcrowded prisons by light case violators, as well as save state costs.
However, Rudy emphasized that the application of restorative justice cannot be arbitrary. There must be strict criteria, supervision, and transparency so as not to be misused. The idea began to be formulated when he served as Head of the Police Division, although it reaped internal pros and cons.
Rudy's academic journey coincided with his official career. Graduated from undergraduate, master's degree, to doctoral degree, the law was pursued at the University of Lampung, on the sidelines of the task of the police. The field experience made him understand the law not only from the side of theory, but also from the practice of investigation to the court's decision.
While serving as the Banten Police Chief, Rudy tried to implement the concept of mediation at the Polsek level for mild cases. The results vary: in some areas it went well, while elsewhere it stalled due to limited understanding.
This shows the need for socialization, training, and mindset changes so that policies can be effective.
If later it is believed to lead the National Police, Rudy will be the first National Police Chief to hold the title of professor. This is considered to give a symbol that the police leadership not only needs operational firmness, but also intellectual depth.
Although public debates are divided between research-based visionary leaders or pragmatic figures, Rudy remains consistent in principle: law enforcement must be based on science, justice must be substantive, and reform must be carried out even though it is gradual.
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