ILAGA, Central Papua – Warm greetings and the cheerful smiles of children accompanied a patrol conducted by personnel of the Cartenz Peace Operation Police Task Force-2026 in Ilaga District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua, on Sunday (August 9, 2026). Amid their security duties, personnel from the Ilaga Post took the opportunity to interact with local residents and distribute snacks to children they encountered along the patrol route.
The patrol was conducted on foot through several areas of Ilaga. Before beginning the activity, personnel carried out preparations and checks to ensure that the patrol could be conducted safely and in accordance with their duties in the field.
Throughout the patrol, personnel monitored the surrounding environment and community activities. They also greeted residents and engaged in direct communication with them. The interaction created a more familiar atmosphere, particularly when children approached the personnel and received snacks.
For the personnel, these simple interactions were part of efforts to strengthen communication and build trust with the community. The patrol was not only aimed at monitoring the security situation, but also provided an opportunity for officers to be closer to residents and become part of their daily environment.
Head of the Cartenz Peace Operation-2026, Inspector General of Police Dr. Faizal Ramadhani, S.Sos., S.I.K., M.H., said that the presence of personnel among the community was expected to provide a sense of security while fostering positive relations with local residents.
“We want the presence of our personnel to be perceived positively by the community. Maintaining security must go hand in hand with building communication, concern, and mutual trust with residents,” said the Head of the Cartenz Peace Operation-2026.
He added that a human-centered approach could be developed through simple actions, such as greeting residents, listening to their concerns, and creating opportunities for direct interaction so that the presence of personnel could be felt more closely by the community.
Deputy Head of the Cartenz Peace Operation-2026, Police Commissioner Adarma Sinaga, S.I.K., M.Hum., expressed a similar view. He said direct communication with the community was an important part of building positive relations in the area of operations.
“We encourage our personnel to consistently maintain a human-centered approach. When officers are able to interact directly with the community, residents can see that the presence of the Indonesian National Police is not only about security, but also about demonstrating care and concern for the community,” said the Deputy Head of the Cartenz Peace Operation-2026.
One of the residents of Ilaga, Maue Alom, who met the personnel during the patrol, welcomed the interaction. He said that the presence of officers willing to greet and communicate directly with residents created a different atmosphere for the community.
“We are happy when officers come and interact with the community. The children also looked happy when they received snacks. Activities like this help bring the police and the community closer together,” he said.
For the children they encountered, the simple gesture of attention from the personnel became a pleasant moment amid their daily activities. For the officers, meanwhile, the encounter served as a reminder that maintaining security also means building positive relationships with the communities they serve.
Throughout the activity, the security situation in Ilaga remained safe and conducive. The foot patrol was part of the Cartenz Peace Operation-2026’s efforts to maintain security while strengthening communication and relations with the community through a direct presence among residents.
Through this approach, personnel are expected not only to be present when security disturbances occur, but also to become part of the community’s daily environment in supporting the creation of a safe, comfortable, and peaceful atmosphere.
