Muhammad Agus, Risma Niswaty, Andi Cudai Nur, Didin
This study aims to analyze the transformation of the Mobile Brigade Unit of the South Sulawesi Regional Police in dealing with post-election riots, identify internal and external driving factors, evaluate operational effectiveness, and formulate a strategic model that is adaptive to modern conflict dynamics. This study uses a qualitative method with a case study approach. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews with key informants from the police, local governments, election organizers, and community leaders, supported by observations and documentation studies. The data analysis technique applied the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldana. The findings reveal a structural transformation from a reactive and repressive operational pattern toward a preventive, proportional, and community-oriented security approach. This transformation is reflected in the strengthening of early warning mechanisms, negotiation-based intervention, inter-agency coordination, and culturally embedded mediation practices grounded in local values. The study also finds that preventive conflict engagement strategies contribute to improved operational responsiveness and enhanced institutional trust in conflict-prone environments. Based on these findings, this study formulates the AGUSTIF Model (Anticipatory, Gradual, Measured, Culturally Sensitive, Technological, Integrative, and Futuristic) as an integrated framework combining anticipatory intelligence, proportional response, collaborative governance, technological adaptation, and organizational learning. The study contributes theoretically by repositioning tactical policing within the broader perspective of adaptive public security governance in hybrid conflict settings. Practically, it provides policy implications for strengthening democratic security management in socially complex and digitally mediated conflict environments. © 2026 The authors. This article is published by IIETA and is licensed under the CC BY 4.0 license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Public Administration Department, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, 90222, Indonesia; Faculty of Social Science and Law, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, 90222, Indonesia
