Strategic roles of Polsek in combating criminal activities in Bakongan sub-district, southern Aceh

Abstract

The Bakongan District Police Sector (POLSEK) is a critical component of the justice system in Bakongan District, tasked with maintaining public security, enforcing the law, and providing community services as mandated by Law Number 2 of 2002. This study aims to (1) examine the implementation of the POLSEK's role in crime prevention in Bakongan District and (2) identify the factors that hinder the effective execution of this role. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed, utilizing interviews with five key informants, including one criminal investigator, one community police officer, one community leader, and two victims/reporters. The findings indicate that while the POLSEK has generally performed its crime prevention duties effectively, there are areas needing improvement, particularly in rapid response to crime reports and public awareness campaigns on crime prevention. The study also identifies significant obstacles, including law enforcement challenges related to the mentality and competence of officers, and community factors such as a lack of public awareness and support for police efforts. These findings suggest a need for targeted interventions to enhance the effectiveness of crime prevention strategies in Bakongan District.