From contested authority to adaptive governance: Policing intervention during the COVID-19 crisis in Indonesia

The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined some of the governance challenges often manifested between the contestation of authority of government bodies at both the central and local levels along with law enforcement. This paper tends to explore proactive steps taken during the COVID-19 crisis by the city police department Kepolisian Resor Kota /Polresta Bogor, in addressing the complexities of public health measures through policing intervention. For this research, we use qualitative methodology to examine the law regulations, together with stakeholder interviews and participant observations to highlight the cooperative dynamics of initiatives and adaptive governance. The results of the study postulate that a delicate weighting in the enforcement of public health measures ensures societal stability and builds trust within the community. The research findings of the study indicate that through policing intervention, strategic initiatives taken up by Polresta Bogor, interjurisdictional collaboration, and creative resource allocation strategies are evidenced. Though the incubation periods were difficult, the study portrays adaptive mechanisms and cooperation that help in integrated emergency response. This paper contributes to the growing literature on the complications of governance and law enforcement initiatives that accompany a public health emergency andolle for an integrated approach in order to streamline coordination and the effectiveness of emergency responses.