Governance of Indigenous Villages in Papua's Borderlands: Dynamics, Challenges, and Policy Strategies

Abstract

The research aims to explore three interrelated questions: the extent of community involvement in crime prevention, the key factors that influence such participation, and the role of the police in fostering community engagement. The conceptual framework is grounded in five core theories—Community Policing, Good Governance, Empowerment Theory, Participation Theory, and State–Society Relations—which collectively offer a multidimensional understanding of security governance in remote island contexts. The findings suggest that effective crime prevention is shaped not only by institutional policies but also by the strength of social trust, cultural alignment, and inclusive governance structures. The role of the police must evolve from traditional enforcement to that of facilitator and partner, engaging local communities through dialogue, shared responsibilities, and empowerment-based strategies. Moreover, contextual factors such as geographic remoteness, indigenous norms, technological limitations, and socio-political dynamics play a crucial role in either enabling or constraining community participation. Based on these insights, this study proposes a collaborative policing model tailored to island regions, emphasizing trust-building, cultural sensitivity, and sustainable participation. The model serves as both a strategic and operational framework to enhance the resilience of local communities against crime, especially in settings where state presence is limited. Ultimately, the research contributes to the discourse on localized security governance and offers practical recommendations for adaptive policing practices in Indonesia’s peripheral regions.