POLICE REFORM WITHIN AN SSR FRAMEWORKAlexander Mayer-Rieckh

Workshop on Police Reform, Tripoli, 24 September 2013

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!

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

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

2 core goals of police reform

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

INTERN

AL

EXTERN

AL

CAPACITY/EFFECTIVENESS

INTEGRITY/ACCOUNTABILITY

• Mandate• Human resources• Infrastructure, equipment• Structure, rules, procedures• Etc.

• National strategies• Management bodies• Cooperation• Etc.

A POLICE AGENCY

• Human rights, conduct• Disciplinary procedures• Budgetary accountability• Representation• Etc.

• Formal oversight• Informal oversight• Independence• Etc.

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

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

Democratic vs. regime 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

Regime policing Democratic policing