The Effectiveness of Restorative Justice in Resolving Theft Crimes: A Case Study at the Banda Aceh Police Headquarters

This study aims to determine and analyze the effectiveness of restorative justice implementation in resolving theft crimes at the Banda Aceh Police Department. The background of this study is based on the increasing use of the restorative justice approach as an alternative to resolving cases outside the courts, especially for minor crimes that do not cause significant losses. The research method used is a juridical- empirical case study approach. Data were obtained through interviews with investigators, victims, perpetrators, and community leaders involved in the penal mediation process. The research results show that the implementation of restorative justice at the Banda Aceh Police Department has been quite effective. As many as 68% of petty theft cases that occurred between 2024 and 2025 were resolved through a peace mechanism between the perpetrator and victim, facilitated by investigators and village officials. The effectiveness of restorative justice implementation is supported by public legal awareness, the active role of Bhabinkamtibmas (community police officers), and the implementation of Police Regulation Number 8 of 2021 concerning the Handling of Criminal Acts Based on Restorative Justice. This study concludes that the application of restorative justice in resolving theft crimes at the Banda Aceh Police has been effective, but intensive training for investigators and increased legal outreach to the community are needed so that this mechanism can run more optimally.