Papuaaround.com – The West Papua Police Regional Office (Polda Papua Barat Daya) held a solemn ceremony on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, to mark the 79th anniversary of Bhayangkara Day. The event took place at Aimas Town Square in Sorong Regency, West Papua.
The ceremony was led by West Papua Police Chief Brigadier General Gatot Hariwibowo and attended by key regional figures including the Governor of West Papua, Elisa Kambu, military and police leadership, members of the regional legislature, religious leaders, and other representatives from the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda).
Following the official proceedings, the celebration continued with a thanksgiving event, featuring the symbolic cutting of a ceremonial rice cone (tumpeng) and an interfaith prayer session. This gesture reflected unity, tolerance, and shared hopes for peace and prosperity across West Papua.
In his address, Brig. Gen. Gatot Hariwibowo extended his sincere gratitude to the public and the entire West Papua Police force for their continued dedication and support in carrying out their duties.
“I express my deepest appreciation to every member of the West Papua Police and their families for their unwavering commitment, sacrifice, and perseverance,” he stated.
He further noted that while the Indonesian National Police (Polri) has reached 79 years of service, it remains an ongoing journey filled with evolving challenges. Although Polda Papua Barat Daya was only officially inaugurated as the 36th regional police command on November 11, 2024, this recent establishment has not hindered its efforts in fulfilling the police’s core mission — to protect, serve, and engage with the community.
“We realize there are still many shortcomings, and our efforts have yet to fully meet expectations. For that, I offer my apologies to the public. However, we remain committed to being present, working in partnership with the government, and responding to the pressing issues faced by our communities,” he added.
Amid increasingly complex security and societal dynamics, the Police Chief highlighted the importance of embracing technology and improving access to information, as well as enhancing public service quality to meet the demands of modern society.
As the event concluded, Brig. Gen. Hariwibowo called on all residents of West Papua to strengthen unity and solidarity, regardless of ethnic background, race, or religion.
“Let us stand hand in hand, working together to build a safe, peaceful, and prosperous West Papua for both current and future generations,” he said.
The 79th Bhayangkara Day ceremony served not only as a moment of reflection on the police force’s long-standing commitment but also as a reaffirmation of its role in promoting inclusivity, public trust, and national unity within the region.