TEMPO.CO, Jakarta -  In addition to prioritizing Islamic boarding school students (santri), the Indonesian National Police (Polri) has initiated a special recruitment pathway for Quran memorizers (hafiz) to join the police force, known as the Bhayangkara Corps.

Polri believes that the inclusion of Quran memorizers will serve as a model for ethical conduct within the institution.

"Polri also provides broad opportunities for Quran memorizers and santri who wish to become police officers," said the National Police Inspector General, Commissioner General Dedi Prasetyo, as quoted from his written statement on Monday, February 10, 2025.

Dedi stated that the educational discipline instilled in Quran memorizers reflects the strong character of disciplines.

He believes that such discipline aligns well with the values upheld within the police institution. "They have the ability to follow orders and procedures properly," he said.

Over the past four years, Dedi noted a decline in the number of police recruits with a background in Islamic boarding schools or Quran memorization. He hopes to see an increase in recruitment during this year’s selection period.

The 2025 Polri recruitment period runs from February 5 to March 6, 2025. According to Polri's official recruitment website, there are four selection pathways for prospective officers:

1. Police Academy (Akpol)
2. Inspector School for University Graduates (SIPSS)
3. Non-Commissioned Officers (Bintara)
4. Enlisted Personnel (Tamtama)

Police Recruitment Numbers for Pesantren Graduates and Hafiz Al-Quran (2021–2024):

• 2021: 84 recruits (83 Bintara, 1 Tamtama)
• 2022: 55 recruits (50 Bintara, 5 Tamtama)
• 2023: 74 recruits (61 Bintara, 13 Tamtama)
• 2024: 52 recruits (1 Academy Cadet, 49 Bintara, 2 Tamtama)

Previously, the Chief of the Indonesian National Police, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, announced that the 2025 Polri recruitment process would prioritize the santri pathway. According to Sigit, santri who become police officers will be more resilient in resisting bad temptations while on duty.

The police chief emphasized that police officers should not only understand their duties but also possess strong character to protect and serve as role models for society.

"With a strong foundation of faith, they will be able to withstand challenges and temptations," Sigit said in his speech at the Nahdlatul Ulama National Conference at the Sultan Hotel on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.

On that occasion, Sigit expressed his appreciation to Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) for supporting the santri recruitment pathway within Polri. He strongly encourages Islamic boarding school students to consider joining the police force.

"We are grateful to have new recruits, new Polri members, who can serve as exemplary police officers in society. Thank you to our friends at NU and the Islamic boarding schools for their encouragement and support in joining Polri," Sigit said.

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