He said a professional, accountable, and democratic police force is a fundamental investment in the sustainability of Indonesia’s democracy.
"Police reform must focus on transforming Polri's institutional culture," Hargens said in a statement issued on Sunday.
He said cultural transformation should include education and training that emphasize human rights, ethics, and community policing.
Hargens also encouraged competency-based reforms, the use of modern technology, and the adoption of international standards to improve professionalism and capacity among police personnel at all levels.
"Other key areas that need attention include accountability, open dialogue, responsiveness to constructive criticism, and recruitment and selection based on integrity and capacity," he said.
He added that reforming the reward and punishment system, as well as strengthening leadership that upholds democratic policing values, is also essential.
Hargens said police reform should focus on long-term institutional transformation rather than short-term political interests.
"Without cultural transformation, structural reform or leadership changes will not produce substantive change," he said, adding that cultural reform should be the main focus of the police reform committee.
He also warned against politicizing police reform, saying it could weaken the institution and undermine improvement efforts.
"The negative impact is severe, as it erodes long-term direction, weakens independence and professionalism, creates internal uncertainty, and diverts attention from substance," he said.
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Translator: Nadia, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
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