As Indonesia commemorates the 79th anniversary of the Indonesian National Police (Polri), it is timely and necessary to recognize the quiet yet resolute contributions of the Bhayangkara to one of the nation’s most strategic domains: civil aviation. Far beyond routine patrols or security checks, Polri’s presence at airports forms the backbone of a highly complex, transnationally connected, and increasingly digitized aviation ecosystem.
Airports today are not merely gateways of departure and arrival. They are high-density zones of national sovereignty, porous borders for both legal and illicit flows, and high-value targets within the realm of modern security threats. From counterterrorism to customs enforcement, from cybercrime prevention to passenger screening, the roles assumed by Polri at these nodes are foundational yet often underappreciated.
A Strategic Asset in a High-Altitude Arena
The global civil aviation industry has become a theater of both opportunity and vulnerability. With over 1,200 flights a day crisscrossing Indonesian skies and with Soekarno-Hatta International Airport among the busiest in Southeast Asia, the stakes are too high to rely solely on mechanical efficiency. What is also needed is comprehensive, anticipatory security, tailored to mitigate both traditional and emergent threats.
This is where the Bhayangkara steps in—not merely as enforcers of public order, but as strategic operatives embedded in the daily operations of the national air transport infrastructure. The Airport Police Units, supported by elite divisions such as Gegana (the bomb squad), Densus 88 (counterterrorism), and the Cyber Directorate, play an indispensable role in securing air travel in Indonesia, which involves over 150 million domestic and international passengers annually.
Beyond Visible Policing: The Intelligence and Coordination Mandate
Modern aviation security demands more than physical presence. It requires the collection and analysis of threat intelligence, inter-agency coordination, and proactive disruption of risk vectors. Polri has gradually transformed itself to meet these new demands.
At the operational level, Bhayangkara personnel at airports coordinate closely with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Transportation, the Indonesian Military (TNI), Immigration, and Customs. The goal is not just to respond to incidents, but to preempt them—be it through data monitoring, facial recognition systems, or anomaly detection in cargo inspections.
For example, when a suspicious item appears during an x-ray scan, it is often Polri officers who conduct the secondary screening, determine the legality of the item, and decide whether escalation is needed. In more sensitive cases—such as suspected trafficking of narcotics, wildlife, or persons—investigations are handed over to specialized units operating discreetly yet decisively.
Navigating New Turbulence: Cyber Threats and Drone Intrusions
In an era of digital transformation, airports have become cyber-physical systems, vulnerable not only to bombs or hijackings, but to malware, data breaches, and GPS jamming. Flight scheduling, air traffic control, baggage handling, and passenger records—all of these are now digital assets, and thus, digital liabilities.
The Bhayangkara’s evolving doctrine reflects this complexity. The Cyber Crime Directorate within Polri has expanded its oversight over digital threats affecting aviation, working alongside airport authorities to safeguard servers, data centers, and communication systems. Simulated cyberattacks are periodically conducted to test resilience and inform contingency planning.
Likewise, the increasing use of drones—both commercially and recreationally—has introduced another variable. Unauthorized drone activities near runways have caused delays, forced diversions, and raised concerns about potential misuse. Bhayangkara officers now receive technical training on drone interception, signal jamming, and legal protocols for seizure and prosecution.
Securing the National Aviation Experience: Safe, Orderly, and Trusted
One of the core mandates of the Bhayangkara in civil aviation is to ensure that every Indonesian and international traveler can experience air travel that is safe, secure, and orderly. From the moment a passenger enters the airport premises to the point of boarding or arrival, Polri officers are deployed to safeguard public spaces, detect suspicious behaviors, and respond swiftly to any potential threat.
Their duties span across terminal patrols, emergency response drills, handling unruly passengers, to maintaining peace during crowd surges in peak travel seasons. In particular, their coordination with airport stakeholders helps prevent bottlenecks and security breaches without disrupting operational efficiency.
The presence of Bhayangkara in airport environments offers a dual assurance: visible deterrence to bad actors and invisible readiness to act when needed. This contributes to heightened public trust, which is an intangible yet vital asset in any aviation system. Their work facilitates not just safe flights, but also upholds Indonesia’s commitment to international aviation standards set by ICAO.
A Multi-Dimensional Mandate in Times of Geopolitical Tension
In recent years, geopolitical instability—such as the Russia–Ukraine war or the Iran–Israel conflict—has had cascading effects on global aviation routes. With airspace closures, rerouted flights, and economic disruptions affecting both passenger travel and cargo logistics, the need for national security synchronization has become more urgent.
Indonesia, as an archipelagic country with strategic flight corridors connecting the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, cannot afford complacency. It must prepare for spillover effects such as the redirection of illegal trade routes, refugee inflows, or disruption in aviation fuel supply.
In such scenarios, Bhayangkara units become even more crucial. Their presence at logistic hubs, intelligence sharing with the National Security Agency, and their ability to escalate threat responses quickly, all contribute to national preparedness.
Building a Culture of Security Without Compromising Hospitality
Airport security, if implemented poorly, can become a bottleneck—alienating travelers, delaying operations, and hurting national reputation. Indonesia’s aviation aspirations include becoming a regional transit hub and a preferred tourism destination. Therefore, security must coexist with efficiency and courtesy.
This balance is achieved through continuous training. Bhayangkara officers assigned to airport duty receive specialized instruction not only in threat recognition, but in cross-cultural communication, mental health awareness, and non-intrusive screening techniques.
Recent initiatives also involve integrating digital workflows: passengers can file reports, lodge complaints, or track lost items via mobile platforms, reducing friction and increasing transparency. Polri’s adoption of digital public service models at airports signals a shift from reactive law enforcement to proactive public engagement.
Empowering Tomorrow’s Aviation Security Ecosystem
As Indonesia moves toward becoming one of the top five aviation markets globally by 2035, there is a pressing need to future-proof its security frameworks. This includes investing in talent, upgrading surveillance technologies, and strengthening inter-agency legal frameworks.
It also means involving Polri in policy-making processes concerning airport privatization, drone regulation, data protection laws, and cross-border aviation agreements. Security must be designed into the architecture of aviation governance—not appended as an afterthought.
Polri, therefore, must not only guard, but help guide the future of Indonesian aviation. Their insights, if institutionalized properly, could help shape a new doctrine of aviation security—one that balances risk, rights, and revenue.
Conclusion: The Quiet Guardians of Our Sky
On this 79th Bhayangkara Day, July 1st 2025, let us not forget that safe skies are not merely a product of sophisticated machinery or seamless scheduling. They are also a product of human vigilance, ethical leadership, and national commitment.
The Indonesian National Police, in all their capacities—from patrol officers to cyber investigators—form an invisible shield over our airports and air routes. They ensure that millions can travel for work, worship, or wonder, without fear or hindrance.
As a nation, we owe them not just ceremonial praise, but systemic support. Let us invest in their training, include them in national aviation strategies, and elevate their presence from operational necessity to strategic asset.
To the Bhayangkara, who keep our runways safe and our skies sovereign, we say: thank you, and Happy Bhayangkara Day.
Your watchful service is the wind beneath our wings.
