Reconstructing the Role of the Police in Building Public Trust in Police Reform Amidst the Threat of Terrorism

Abstract

This study aims to reconstruct the role of the police in building public trust during the era of police reform amid the increasing threat of terrorism in Indonesia. The research hypothesis highlights that the reconstruction of the police's role, based on the principles of responsive law and the strengthening of internal integrity, can enhance the legitimacy and effectiveness of law enforcement against acts of terrorism. The research design employs a normative legal method with a statutory and conceptual approach, supported by literature studies on primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials. The main findings of this study indicate that the integration between the responsive law approach and community policing serves as a relevant strategy to strengthen the partnership between the police and the community. In addition, the analysis results identify that consistent internal integrity within the police institution significantly contributes to increased public trust, which in turn positively impacts the effectiveness of handling terrorism cases. The implications of these findings emphasize the need for institutional reform and regulatory renewal based on the principles of accountability, transparency, and public participation in police oversight. This study recommends further in-depth research on the mechanisms for implementing responsive law and strategies for strengthening internal integrity within police institutions across various regions, in order to reinforce democratic policing practices in facing future national security challenges.