Legal Analysis of the Implementation of the Duties of the Investigation Supervisor (Wassidik) at the General Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Papua Provincial Police

Abstract

Effective supervision of criminal investigations is essential to ensuring professionalism, accountability, procedural compliance, and the protection of public rights within law enforcement institutions. This study aimed to examine the implementation of the duties of Investigation Supervisors (Wassidik) and identify factors affecting the effectiveness of investigation supervision at the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation of the Papua Regional Police. The study employed an empirical juridical approach conducted at the Papua Regional Police, involving eight purposively selected informants from the Wassidik and investigative units. Data were collected through interviews, literature reviews, and document analysis and were analyzed qualitatively and descriptively by comparing legal norms with field practices. The findings revealed that Wassidik duties were implemented through assistance, supervision, case reviews, and preliminary examinations in accordance with applicable standard operating procedures. However, supervisory effectiveness remained constrained by high workloads, limited personnel, inadequate operational and digital infrastructure, budget limitations, geographical challenges, differences in legal interpretation, community and customary-law factors, and weak disciplinary sanctions. These conditions reduced the optimal deterrent and corrective functions of supervision. The study concluded that investigation supervision was normatively established and operationally implemented; however, its effectiveness required stronger sanctions, improved resources, enhanced infrastructure, and more consistent supervisory mechanisms across policing jurisdictions in Papua.