«In addition to protecting individuals, they [UN Police] help society as a whole by redefining the role of policing in countries emerging from conflict, forging trust in uniformed police, establishing faith in national justice systems and fostering confidence in peace processes.»
United Nations Policing
A crucial part of UN peace operations
The United Nations has been deploying police officers for service in peace operations since the 1960s. Traditionally, the mandate of police components in peace operations was limited to monitoring, observing and reporting. Beginning in the early 1990s, advisory, mentoring and training functions were integrated into the monitoring activities in order to offer peace operations the opportunity to act as a corrective mechanism with domestic police and other law enforcement agencies.
United Nations Police are an important tool used by the Organization to help promote peace and security. Every day United Nations Policemen and women reinforce and re-establish security by patrolling, working closely with and advising domestic police services, helping to ensure compliance with international human rights standards and assisting in a wide range of activities to restore and promote public safety and the rule of law.
The number of United Nations Police officers authorized for deployment in United Nations peacekeeping operations and special political missions has significantly increased over the past decade from 5,840 in 1995 to over 15,000 in 2016.
More information about the deployment of UN Police and Military »
