MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - Legal aid organisation LBH Medan has called on North Sumatra's newly appointed police chief, Inspector General Sonny Irawan, to use the leadership transition within the Indonesian National Police (Polri) as an opportunity to accelerate police reform, improve law enforcement and strengthen officers' accountability in the exercise of their powers.
According to LBH Medan, appointing a new regional police chief is not enough to bring about meaningful change. The public expects tangible improvements in police services, the handling of investigations, crime prevention and the protection of human rights. The police must also ensure that every complaint from the public is handled professionally, transparently and objectively, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
The demands follow the appointment of Police General Suyudi Ario Seto, who replaced Police General Listyo Sigit Prabowo as Chief of the Indonesian National Police on 1 October 2026. In subsequent personnel changes, the new national police chief appointed Inspector General Sonny Irawan as North Sumatra Police Chief, replacing Inspector General Whisnu Hermawan Februanto. The appointment was recorded in Police Decree No. ST/2205/X/KEP./2026, dated 2 October 2026.
LBH Medan Director Irvan Syahputra, S.H., M.H., stressed that the new police chief faced significant challenges, particularly in law enforcement and oversight of the use of police powers. The public must experience the positive impact of the leadership change through concrete action rather than merely witnessing a change in the organisational structure.
Police Reform Must Address Public Concerns
According to Irvan, the new police chief must strengthen efforts to prevent and combat drug trafficking, conventional gambling, online gambling and street crime. The latter includes the so-called 3C offences: aggravated theft, theft involving violence and motor vehicle theft.
Beyond tackling crime, Sonny Irawan must ensure that police officers exercise their powers proportionately and responsibly. LBH Medan has expressed particular concern about the use of force when dispersing demonstrations and securing public gatherings. In such situations, officers must act within the law and respect citizens' right to freedom of expression.
LBH Medan has also urged the police chief to give particular attention to complaints and reports from members of the public that have yet to be resolved. Legal certainty, transparency, objectivity and respect for individual rights must remain central to the handling of every case.
"LBH Medan reminds the North Sumatra Police Chief that the mandate entrusted to him by the National Police Chief must not be treated as a mere bureaucratic routine or fulfilled through empty security slogans. He must demonstrate his commitment through concrete action," Irvan said in an official statement on Friday, 9 October 2026.
For LBH Medan, the leadership transition should provide an opportunity to review problems that have undermined public trust in the police. This review should cover service quality, the proper handling of cases, internal oversight and measures against officers who abuse their authority.
Public confidence depends not only on statements made by police leaders but also on people's actual experiences when dealing with officers. Consistency between directives issued by senior leadership and the conduct of officers in the field is therefore an important measure of the success of police reform.
TURN REFORM PROMISES INTO CONCRETE ACTION: Irvan Syahputra, Director of LBH Medan, has urged the North Sumatra Police Chief to implement police reform through stronger crime prevention, transparent complaint handling and respect for human rights. (PHOTO: LBH Medan)
Public Services and Human Rights Must Come First
Irvan also referred to remarks made by Sonny Irawan after taking office as North Sumatra Police Chief. In his address to senior officers and police units within the regional command, Sonny reportedly emphasised that policing must be understood as a form of public service.
"If the police profession is regarded as a service that brings religious merit, members of the public must not face unnecessary obstacles," Irvan added.
LBH Medan considers the statement a positive signal, but says it must be followed by changes in officers' conduct and improvements in service quality. Irvan pointed out that the duty to serve the public, protect citizens and enforce the law is already part of the police's statutory mandate under Law No. 2 of 2002 on the Indonesian National Police.
In LBH Medan's view, the principle behind the police chief's motto, "Police Together with the Community", must be reflected in officers' daily conduct. They must provide accessible services, handle complaints professionally and avoid actions that could harm the public.
LBH Medan also emphasised the importance of respecting human rights in every aspect of policing, from preliminary inquiries and formal investigations to securing public events. Police powers must be exercised in accordance with the law, and every alleged violation must be investigated objectively and addressed through a transparent process.
The organisation considers this approach essential to building a healthy relationship between the police and the public. Consistent law enforcement must go hand in hand with the protection of citizens' rights, without arbitrariness or discrimination.
TAKE CONSISTENT ACTION AGAINST POLICE MISCONDUCT: LBH Medan stresses that proven violations of the professional code of ethics and disciplinary regulations by police officers must be addressed in accordance with the law to uphold professional standards and maintain public trust. (PHOTO: LBH Medan)
Resolve Outstanding Cases and Address Police Misconduct
LBH Medan also raised concerns about crime levels and the handling of criminal cases in North Sumatra. In its statement, the organisation referred to a report published by news portal detik.com on 27 July 2025, which identified North Sumatra as one of the provinces with a high crime rate. According to the report, Medan City Police handled 9,376 cases. The Percut Sei Tuan and Sunggal police precincts were also identified as leading police units nationally in the sub-district-level police station category.
These figures relate to the reporting period in 2025 and do not necessarily reflect current crime levels. Nevertheless, LBH Medan believes that security challenges and the quality of law enforcement continue to require serious attention from North Sumatra's police leadership.
Irvan also criticised excessive delays in case handling, known as undue delays, alleged violence during demonstrations, alleged attempts to prosecute environmental activists and suspected abuse of office. LBH Medan has called for all such matters to be addressed on the basis of evidence, due process and the principle of justice.
The legal aid organisation also highlighted the death of Winda Lorenza Gowaza, a case in which, in its assessment, sufficient legal certainty and justice had yet to be secured for the family and the public. LBH Medan urged the North Sumatra Police Chief to give the case particular attention and ensure that proceedings were conducted transparently and in accordance with applicable regulations.
Alongside reviewing cases affecting members of the public, Sonny Irawan must also strengthen internal oversight of police personnel. Irvan stressed that the North Sumatra Regional Police leadership must take action against any officers found to have breached the National Police Code of Professional Ethics (KEPP) or applicable disciplinary regulations.
Disciplinary and legal measures must be based on objective investigations and the relevant laws. This is necessary to prevent the abuse of police powers, maintain professional standards and ensure that officers fulfil their responsibilities to protect, assist and serve the public.
"This is important to ensure that police officers do not engage in arbitrary conduct that violates the law and human rights. Only in this way can we ensure a professional police force that protects and supports the public. LBH Medan stresses that this can be achieved through immediate police reform," Irvan concluded.
LBH Medan's demands underline that police reform must be measured by tangible results, not merely by changes in leadership. For the people of North Sumatra, these results should include transparent case handling, consistent efforts to combat crime, public-friendly services and accountability for alleged misconduct by police officers.
In his new role, the North Sumatra Police Chief should make internal reviews, transparent case handling and respect for human rights central to his leadership. LBH Medan reiterates that police reform must begin without delay and be implemented through concrete measures whose impact can be directly felt by the public. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Darmailawati | EDITOR: Fik Sagala