Police reform within an SSR Framework

1. Police reform within an SSR Framework Alexander Mayer-Rieckh Workshop on Police Reform, Tripoli, 24 September 2013

2. Security sector reform • Security– a multi-dimensional definition • Traditional state-centred security • Human security • Security sector – a comprehensive understanding • Security and justice • Security providers and oversight actors • State and non-state actors • Security sector reform – 2 core goals • Effectiveness and efficiency • Accountability and integrity • Police reform is more than reforming the police!

3. People-centred policing • Multi-dimensional security – effective service in response to threats facing the people and its state • Policing is a service • Policing starts and ends with the people = client • Concepts: democratic policing, community policing, intelligence-led policing… • Accountable to the people • Directly • Indirectly

4. Police within the security sector • Police cannot function on its own • Criminal justice chain: police-justice-corrections • Reinforce relationship with prosecutor • Policing is not just done by the police • Other law enforcement actors • Non-state actors (security groups, private companies…) • Whoever exercises police powers • Policing is related to other security functions • Internal and external security – military • Policing and intelligence

5. 2 core goalsof police reform A POLICE AGENCY • A police agency • 2 institutional levels • 2 institutional qualities • Capacity and integrity framework (CIF) • Not just capacity for operational effectiveness and service delivery but also… • Integrity and accountability in accordance with good governance • Police reform: promote • 2 qualities at • 2 levels CAPACITY/EFFECTIVENESS INTEGRITY/ACCOUNTABILITY • Human rights, conduct • Disciplinary procedures • Budgetary accountability • Representation • Etc. • Mandate • Human resources • Infrastructure, equipment • Structure, rules, procedures • Etc. INTERNAL • National strategies • Management bodies • Cooperation • Etc. • Formal oversight • Informal oversight • Independence • Etc. EXTERNAL

6. Accountability • Who guards the guardians? • Policing is a critical and sensitive function • Abuse of or by the police severely impacts on democracy • Multiple accountability • Formal-informal mechanisms • Internal-external • To whom: the people, the media, the parliament, the government, the judiciary, the ombudsperson… • Accountability is not control • Accountability is answerability, control is interference • Accountability of operationally independent agencies

7. Other integrity issues • Representation within the police • Gender, ethnicity, regional, religious, etc. • How to balance different types of representation? • Identification – visualize accountability • Transparency • Public reports, press conferences, public access to police buildings, community liaison office… • Symbols – change perceptions • Insignia, locations, names, memorials, apologies… • Positive or negative reinforcements

8. Democratic vs. regime policing Regimepolicing Democratic policing • Protect government rather than citizens • Answer to regime, not to people • Control populations rather than protect communities • Secure interests of one dominant group • Stay outside the community • Protect individuals and human rights • Accountable to the law, not a law unto itself • Accountable to democratic structures and the community • Transparent in its activities and adhere to good governance • Representative of the community it serves