List of policy documents

Les présentes instructions permanentes contiennent des procédures d’évaluation claires et cohérentes qui permettent d’assurer efficacement et rationnellement la sélection des unités de police constituées et leur affectation aux opérations de paix. Elles résument les conditions de capacité opérationnelle qui doivent être remplies et décrivent les préparatifs, le déroulement et le suivi d’une évaluation de la capacité opérationnelle.

The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on assessment of operational capability of FPUs (2017) provide instructions and guidance to DPKO/DPPA/DFS personnel on how to assess formed police units (FPUs) against the requirements of operational capability for service in United Nations peace operations. The SOP also supports Police-Contributing Countries (PCCs) in their pre-deployment selection and training processes.

Sample checklist for the formed police unit assessment and advisory visit (2017) which the Police Division team will use the check list as a reference to assess the overall capability of the Member State to deploy the pledged capability in a timely manner. The team is encouraged to be flexible and make appropriate judgement on matters that are intangible. Specific check lists will be prepared for the AAV for enabling units such as medical and aviation.

Justice and Corrections

Find out more about the work of the United Nations Police Division Standing Police Capacity, based in Brindisi, Italy.

The policy on Formed Police Units in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations policy defines the conditions of deployment, the role and composition of Formed Police Units (FPUs) deployed in United Nations peacekeeping operations. It directs the conduct of FPUs in the field, providing a clear delineation of the tasks, the appropriate use of force and the values that underlie the United Nations approach. Clearer guidelines, codes of conduct and command and control arrangements will facilitate the efforts of the United Nations Department of Peace Operations and Department of Field Support to ensure FPU members are fully prepared for their deployments; are fully trained and evaluated prior to and once they are in mission; and are held accountable for their actions in international service, including in the most serious cases of misconduct related to the use of force or sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA).

The document, shared with Member States in January 2017, shares the required profiles of individual police officers in UN peace operations. The document also outlines the procedures to be followed by Permanent Missions for the presentation of candidates for assignment with peacekeeping operations or special political missions requiring secondment from active Police service. In the interest of promoting an orderly process and to avoid delay in the consideration of applications, Permanent Missions are respectfully requested to adhere closely to these procedures.

Sample Note Verbale to Member States listing the certification requirements for UN police officers (2017).

The Guidelines on Police Administration form the fourth and final pillar of the SGF, but this area may be the most critical for success. Police administration is the backbone of UN policing. Many UNPOL come to peacekeeping missions with extensive experience in capacity-building, or operations, or command in their home countries. But performing administrative functions within the unique environment of a UN police component may be the most challenging to comprehend. Yet, without efficient and effective systems to process payroll, manage vehicles, promote staff welfare, assess performance or ensure appropriate conduct, peacekeepers cannot perform any of their mandated tasks.

The workshop for the development of these Guidelines took place in Brindisi, Italy, at the base of the Standing Police Capacity from 19-21 July 2016. Organised by the United Nations in cooperation with the Government of Italy and the Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units (CoESPU), the event brought together 45 participants from 32 Member States, regional and international partners, think tanks and government agencies, as well as senior administrative officers from six UN missions.

The Guidelines are considered a kind of ‘handbook’ on police administration within a United Nations context. They provide Heads of Police Components (HOPCs), Police Chiefs of Staff (Police COS) and other senior staff with a clearer understanding of what police administration entails and how it fits within the everyday functioning of a United Nations field mission. The Guidelines empower police personnel serving in the component’s Administration Pillar to create and sustain an enabling environment for the conduct of a police component’s mandate-related activities. With a view to harmonizing police practice across field missions, the Guidelines provide direction on broader administration-related matters, including the general structure of a police component, the development of its strategic plans, and coordination with the chiefs of other component pillars and police planning personnel.