Hasanuddin University, together with the South Sulawesi Regional Police (Polda), has completed preparations for the launch of the Police Studies Center at the Unhas Faculty of Law, scheduled to be inaugurated by the National Police Chief (Kapolri). The initiative is a strategic step in integrating academic research with police practice to meet increasingly complex security challenges, including the growth of digital crime.
The readiness was marked by an inspection combined with a meeting between the Unhas Rector and the South Sulawesi Regional Police leadership on Wednesday (1 April).
On the occasion, the South Sulawesi Regional Police Inspector for Supervision (Irwasda), Senior Commissioner Ai Afriandi, S.H., S.I.K., M.M., gave a comprehensive explanation of the legal basis, objectives, structure, and forms of activity of the Police Studies Center.
Conceptually, the Police Studies Center is built on three main pillars: capacity development, knowledge production, and policy translation. Training programs are designed to improve the competence of police personnel in professional ethics, public communication, and conflict management, three areas that social science research has shown to influence the quality of public service and public trust.
In addition, joint research between academics and police practitioners is at the core of the evidence-based policing approach. Through this collaboration, empirical data is expected to be processed into more precise policy recommendations for handling issues such as cybercrime, social dynamics, and community-based security.
Curriculum development is also an important part, providing a space for interaction between theory and practice through guest lectures, seminars, and policy discussions. This approach allows knowledge exchange that adapts to the changing landscape of crime.
Dean of the Hasanuddin University Faculty of Law, Prof. Dr. Hamzah Halim, S.H., M.H., M.A.P., explained that the Police Studies Center is designed to involve various faculties relevant to the core duties and functions of the police. This cross-disciplinary approach is expected to enrich scientific perspectives in supporting studies and delivering solutions to various security problems.
Under the Dean’s leadership, the Unhas Faculty of Law continues to strengthen its strategic role through various collaborative programs. One is a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) class run in cooperation with the South Sulawesi Regional Police, along with affirmation classes at the master’s and doctoral levels for police members.
Besides the police institution, the Unhas Faculty of Law has also actively built cooperation with the Attorney General’s Office of the Republic of Indonesia and the Supreme Court. Through cooperation with the Attorney General’s Office, new prosecutors who have completed Prosecutor Formation Education and Training (PPPJ) are given the opportunity to continue master’s studies at the Unhas Faculty of Law, with a study period that can be completed in one year.
This collaboration is further reinforced through joint research, joint publications, and various other academic activities as part of efforts to improve the quality of the Tridharma of Higher Education.
Unhas Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. Jamaluddin Jompa, M.Sc. highlighted cyber threats that are increasingly complex and require a multidisciplinary response, not only from the legal side but also from technology, social, and public policy perspectives.
“Crime today is evolving very fast, especially in the digital space. For that reason, a research-based approach and cross-disciplinary collaboration are an urgent need,” said Prof. JJ.
The Unhas Rector stressed that challenges ahead, especially cyber threats, are becoming more complex and cannot be handled sector by sector. Strong collaboration between universities and police institutions is therefore needed as a shared responsibility in delivering science-based solutions
The structure of the Police Studies Center, which involves academics from various fields as well as police practitioners, reflects an effort to build a transdisciplinary collaboration model. The presence of divisions such as research and publication, advocacy, and community service strengthens the center’s function as a link between knowledge production and policy implementation.
South Sulawesi Regional Police Chief (Kapolda), Brigadier General Arafriandi, S.H., S.I.K., M.M., expressed appreciation for Unhas’s support, which is seen as a strategic partner in channeling the hopes of the police institution.
The Police Chief stressed that the Police Studies Center is expected to make real contributions, through academic recommendations, to helping solve various problems faced in the field. (*/dhs)
Editor: Ishaq Rahman
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.