Small Wars Journal

To Serve and Protect: The Role of UN Police in Protecting Civilians

Fri, 09/27/2019 - 4:30pm

To Serve and Protect: The Role of UN Police in Protecting Civilians by Charles T. Hunt - IPI Global Observatory

Since the emergence of protection of civilian (POC) mandates twenty years ago, there has been significant growth in the number of police deployed in United Nations peace operations. During this time, their tasks have become more complex and their work more central to mission exit strategies. Despite this rise in prominence, UN Police (UNPOL) are often omitted in conversations about how peace operations can and should protect civilians from violence. Should this oversight not be addressed, the risk that the UN will fail to grasp opportunities to improve policing efforts or enhance overall POC outcomes will continue to rise.

UNPOL have been an integral part of all missions authorized with a POC mandate since their inception in 1999. Today, around 10,000 police are deployed in 14 peace operations. More than 95 percent of those are operating under a POC mandate…

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Comments

marvin37

Fri, 05/19/2023 - 1:57am

The role of UN police in protecting civilians is of paramount importance, especially in regions affected by conflict and instability. These brave men and women serve as a beacon of hope, working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable populations. If you're interested in learning more about the critical work of law enforcement agencies in combating crimes like human trafficking, you can read https://www.otsnews.co.uk/lancashire-police-tackle-human-trafficking-in-county/. It highlights the efforts of Lancashire Police in tackling human trafficking within their county, shedding light on the challenges they face and the strategies they employ to combat this heinous crime.