Implementing the De-escalation Paradigm to Prevent Violence in the Policing of Public Demonstrations within the Jurisdiction of the North Sumatra Regional Police

Abstract

Public demonstrations constitute a constitutional right guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia. In practice, however, demonstrations are frequently accompanied by violence involving law enforcement officers. The de-escalation paradigm offers an alternative approach that prioritizes the prevention of physical conflict through communication, negotiation, and humane crowd management. This study aims to analyze the implementation of the de-escalation paradigm in policing public demonstrations within the jurisdiction of the North Sumatra Regional Police and to formulate a model for strengthening its application. This study employs a normative juridical method incorporating statutory, conceptual, and case approaches. Legal materials were collected through a literature review and analyzed using a prescriptive-analytical method. The findings demonstrate that, although the regulatory framework governing de-escalation has been established under Chief of the Indonesian National Police Regulation Number 1 of 2009 and Number 16 of 2006, its implementation in practice remains suboptimal due to limited personnel training, inadequate coordination, and resistance within the organizational culture. The recommended strengthening model encompasses the development of a simulation-based training system, reinforcement of the field command structure, and integration of effective external oversight mechanisms. This study concludes that strengthening the de-escalation paradigm requires comprehensive institutional reform to ensure the effective protection of human rights in the context of public demonstrations.