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The 79th Bhayangkara Day: A Look Back at the Indonesian National Police’s Origins

By Admin 1 Sabtu, 28 Juni 2025 Pengunjung (385) 3 Mins Read
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Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.   Every 1 July, Indonesia observes Bhayangkara Day, also known as the anniversary of the Indonesian National Police (INP). In 2025, the country commemorates the 79th Bhayangkara Day, which falls on a Tuesday.

This date marks a historical milestone: the official birth of Indonesia’s national police force. The legal basis for the commemoration is Government Regulation No. 11 of 1946, which formally established the police department following the nation’s independence.

But Bhayangkara Day is more than a ceremonial marker—it’s a moment of national reflection. It honors the police’s essential role in maintaining public order and safety, and recognizes the long, complex journey the institution has taken from colonial times to the present day.

The term Bhayangkara comes from Sanskrit, meaning “resilient,” “strong,” or “protector.” It originally referred to an elite guard unit formed during the Majapahit Kingdom, one of the great empires in pre-colonial Indonesia. This unit, established by the legendary military leader Gajah Mada, was tasked with protecting the king and ensuring the security of the royal court.

During the Dutch colonial era, the policing system evolved into a more modern structure. From 1897 to 1920, the Dutch formed official police units, recruiting indigenous Indonesians through rigorous selection processes. These colonial police structures would eventually lay the groundwork for a national institution.

Under Japanese occupation from 1942 to1945, the structure of the police shifted again. The Japanese formed regional police corps across the archipelago. For instance, Java and Madura were overseen from Jakarta, Sumatra from Bukittinggi, Eastern Indonesia from Makassar, and Kalimantan from Banjarmasin.

Following Indonesia’s declaration of independence in August 1945, the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence (PPKI) moved quickly to create a national police force on 19 August 1945. Many Indonesians who had served in the Japanese administration joined this new institution.

Soon after, on 29 September 1945, President Sukarno appointed R.S. Soekanto Tjokrodiatmodjo as the country’s first Chief of Police.

At the time, the institution was known as the Djawatan Kepolisian Negara (National Police Service) and was placed under the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, operationally, it reported to the Office of the Attorney General.

The key moment came on 1 July 1946, when the government officially established the National Police Service via Government Regulation No. 11 of 1946. This regulation is the foundation for today’s Bhayangkara Day celebrations.

Over the decades, the INP has undergone major structural and strategic changes. One of the most significant came in 1969, when it was formally recognized as an independent institution, separate from the military. Since then, the INP has steadily reformed and modernized, with a continued focus on professionalism and public service.

As Indonesia celebrates Bhayangkara Day in 2025, it not only honors its national police force but also reflects on a legacy rooted in royal service, colonial transformation, and the nation’s post-independence development. It’s a reminder of how deeply woven the police are into the country’s journey toward unity, stability, and democratic order.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)

 

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