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DUCATING COMMUNITIESABOUT HOW TO BE POLICEDIN A DEMOCRACY
INPROL Consolidated Response (08-005)
With contributions from Major Moayyad Abzakh, David Bayley, Robert Bereiter, Art Crosby,Elizabeth Kunce-Wagner, Otwin Marenin, John Nikita, Gordon PeakePrepared by J. O’Neil G. Pouliot
INPROL is a project of the United States Institute of Peace with facilitation support from the Center of Excellence for StabilityPolice Units, the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, and the Public International Law & Policy Group.
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DUCATING COMMUNITIES ABOUT HOW TO BE POLICED IN A DEMOCRACY
INPROL Consolidated Response (08-005)
June 26, 2008
Submitted by:
Robert Bereiter , Training Coordinator, Police Education Development Unit, LawEnforcement Department to the OSCE.
Drafted by:
J. O’Neil G. Pouliot, INPROL Police Commanders Forum Facilitator and former Chief Superintendent in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
With contributions from:
1. Major Moayyad Abzakh, Training Department, Public Security Directorate, Amman,Jordan.2.David Bayley, Dean and Professor of the School of Criminal Justice, State University of New York.3.Art Crosby, Chief Superintendent, Commanding Officer of the RCMP (retired)4.Elizabeth Kunce-Wagner , Humanitarian Analyst, Center for Excellence in Disaster Management, Tripler AMC, HI5.Otwin Marenin, Professor of Criminal Justice, Washington State University6.John Nikita, former Senior Police Advisor to the United Nations Assistance Mission inAfghanistan (UNAMA), and a retired senior Canadian police officer.7.Gordon Peake, Senior Policy Adviser, Australian Federal Police, Timor-Leste
The full text of the responses provided by these INPROL members can be found athttp://www.inprol.org/node/2534. INPROL invites further comment by members.
Note:
All opinions stated in this consolidated response have been made in a personal capacityand do not necessarily reflect the views of particular organizations. INPROL does not explicitlyadvocate policies.
June 2008 INPROL Consolidated Response (
08-005
) Page 1 of 6
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DUCATING COMMUNITIES ABOUT HOW TO BE POLICED IN ADEMOCRACY
Background:
The police face major problems building legitimacy in countries emerging from conflictwhere a uniformed officer is often a cause for fear rather than a source of protection andcomfort. Typically, politically motivated crimes are never investigated by the police.Strategies to reform the police must be supported and sustained by community supportand assistance, beginning with education about the values and processes involved indemocratic policing.
Query:
What effective methods are in place for educating the civilian community on "How to bepoliced in a democracy"? How do you transition from a police force oriented toward theuse of "force" to one that is focused on "public service"? How does the community holdthe police accountable and make them responsible for upholding democratic principles,the rule of law, and human rights.
Response Summary:
To educate communities in “How to be policed in a democracy,” in countries emergingfrom conflict, the philosophy and strategies that have been used for democratic andcommunity based policing are relevant. Community policing seeks to inculcate thefollowing democratic policing principles into standard practice:
Maintain a degree of social order that makes a peaceful democratic societypossible (i.e. mediating in the day-to-day disputes that result from inter-personaland inter-group conflicts).
Safeguard the individual right to life, personal security and enjoyment of property.
Ensure law is enforced within the bounds of justice, through equality, fairness,impartiality and the exercise of discretion.
Respond to and assist those in need or those who cannot care for themselves.This principle recognizes the humanitarian and social side of the police functionand responsibility to the community.
Create and maintain a relationship with the public that builds respect for andparticipation in the law. This principle acknowledges that citizen involvement isthe most important means of dealing with crime and social disorder as part of their responsibility as citizens of the community.
Prevent crime and control conduct that is threatening to persons or property,thereby promoting a feeling of security within the community. This recognizesthat security and safety are created by police presence and actions.
Support the criminal justice system in such a manner as to command the respectof and support from the public. This is accomplished through monitoring theactivities of the police and encouraging fair and equal treatment of the public.
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