New development: The Indonesian police—reform in an oligarchic democracy

IMPACTThis article provides important insights for evaluating policy reform outcomes and identifying strategies to improve implementation and overcome persistent barriers. Indonesia offers a revealing case: although reforms have expanded public access to policing and security, their overall impact remains limited. Achieving sustainable police reform therefore requires an integrated approach that addresses the full range of structural challenges impeding genuine transformation. Suggested policy recommendations include reducing presidential control over police operations, narrowing the scope of police responsibilities to core functions of maintaining law and order and ensuring public security, and strengthening public accountability through robust, independent oversight mechanisms. This analysis carries international significance by offering transferable insights for countries facing similar challenges in police reform, particularly when oligarchic politics shape both the nature and process of public sector reform in post-authoritarian political contexts.