Maraknya keterlibatan anak dalam tindak pidana narkotika menjadi ancaman
serius bagi masa depan generasi muda, termasuk di Kabupaten Kuningan. Anak
sebagai pelaku berada pada posisi rentan sehingga diperlukan pendekatan hukum
yang tidak hanya represif, tetapi juga memperhatikan aspek perlindungan dan
pembinaan. Rumusan masalah penelitian ini (1) bagaimana pengaturan
kewenangan kepolisian dalam penegakan hukum terhadap anak pelaku tindak
pidana narkotika dan (2) bagaimana penerapannya di Kabupaten Kuningan.
Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis pengaturan dan penerapan
kewenangan tersebut. Metode yang digunakan adalah penelitian hukum empiris
dengan pendekatan yuridis-empiris melalui wawancara, observasi, dan studi
dokumentasi terhadap kasus yang ditangani Polres Kuningan. Hasil penelitian
pertama, secara normatif kewenangan kepolisian diatur dalam Undang Undang
No. 2 Tahun 2002 Pasal 29 dan Undang Undang No. 11 Tahun 2012 Pasal 7
tentang Sistem Peradilan Pidana Anak, yang menekankan perlindungan anak dan
keadilan restoratif. Kedua, dalam penerapannya masih ditemukan hambatan
seperti keterbatasan Sumber Daya Manusia, kurangnya pelatihan, serta lemahnya
koordinasi antar lembaga. Hal ini terlihat dari beberapa kasus, seperti: R (17)
dikenakan Pasal 62 Undang Undang No. 5 Tahun 1997 (psikotropika); T (16)
dikenakan Pasal 196 dan/atau 197 Undang Undang No. 36 Tahun 2009 (obat
keras tanpa izin); dan L (15) dikenakan Pasal 114 ayat (1) Undang Undang No. 35
Tahun 2009 (narkotika golongan I). Semua kasus ditangani dengan pendekatan
represif, belum sepenuhnya sesuai prinsip keadilan restoratif. Kesimpulan
Pengaturan kewenangan kepolisian terhadap anak pelaku tindak pidana narkotika
sudah jelas dalam Undang Undang No. 2 Tahun 2002 dan Undang Undang Sistem
Peradilan Pidana Anak, dengan menekankan keadilan restoratif. Namun, di
Kabupaten Kuningan penerapannya belum optimal, masih dominan pendekatan
represif, serta koordinasi antarlembaga belum berjalan efektif. Saran Pengaturan
perlu disosialisasikan lebih luas agar aparat memahami dan menerapkan prinsip
Sistem Peradilan Pidana Anak. Dalam penerapan, dibutuhkan pelatihan rutin,
sinergi antar lembaga, serta edukasi hukum masyarakat melalui forum peduli anak
di tingkat desa.
Kata kunci: Kewenangan Kepolisian, Anak, Tindak Pidana Narkotika

The rampant involvement of children in narcotics crimes poses a serious threat to
the future of the younger generation, including in Kuningan Regency. Children as
perpetrators are in a vulnerable position, thus requiring a legal approach that is
not only repressive but also considers aspects of protection and rehabilitation.
The problem formulations of this research are (1) how the police's authority is
regulated in law enforcement against child perpetrators of narcotics crimes, and
(2) how it is applied in Kuningan Regency. The objectives of this research are to
analyze and to determine the regulation and application of this authority. The
method used is empirical legal research with a juridical-empirical approach
through interviews, observation, and documentation studies of cases handled by
the Kuningan Police. The research results show, first, that normatively, police
authority is regulated in Law No. 2 of 2002 Article 29 and Law No. 11 of 2012
Article 7 concerning the Juvenile Criminal Justice System (SPPA), which
emphasizes child protection and restorative justice. Second, in its application,
obstacles are still found such as limited human resources, lack of training, and
weak coordination between institutions. This is evident in several cases, such as:
R (17) charged under Article 62 of Law No. 5 of 1997 (psychotropics); T (16)
charged under Article 196 and/or 197 of Law No. 36 of 2009 (hard drugs without
permission); and L (15) charged under Article 114 paragraph (1) of Law No. 35
of 2009 (Class I narcotics). All cases were handled with a repressive approach,
not yet fully in accordance with the principles of restorative justice. Conclusion:
The regulation of police authority over child perpetrators of narcotics crimes is
clear in Law No. 2 of 2002 and the SPPA Law, emphasizing restorative justice.
However, in Kuningan Regency, its implementation has not been optimal, with a
dominant repressive approach, and inter-institutional coordination has not been
effective. Suggestions: The regulations need to be more widely socialized so that
law enforcement officers understand and apply the principles of the SPPA. In
implementation, regular training, synergy between institutions, and public legal
education through child-care forums at the village level are needed.
Keywords: Police Authority, Children, Narcotics Crimes