Capacity Building and Development

The mission of the United Nations Police (UNPOL) is to enhance international peace and security by supporting United Nations Member States in terms of professional policing practices. This is true during the prevention of conflict, during conflict and other crisis situations and in post-crisis settings.

To that end, UNPOL:

• supports the process of building capacity and developing national law enforcement agencies;
• contributes to and stabilises the security situation in mission areas and where mandated;
• acts as a substitute or partial substitute for host-State police capacity, preventing and prosecuting crime, protecting life and property and maintaining public order and safety in adherence to the rule of law and international human rights law.

Although the latter tasks provide short-term stability in mission settings, the task of capacity-building and development aims to provide long-term sustainable changes. The importance of this task is reflected by the fact that since 2003 most new peacekeeping mission mandates have included capacity-building and development, also referred to as “reform, restructuring and rebuilding.”

Introducing the Guidelines on Police Capacity-Building and Development in 2015, DPKO and DFS provided the fundamental principles and approaches to police capacity-building and development in post-conflict and comparable crisis situations. These guidelines have brought a systematic approach to the topic and closed existing gaps in the policy framework.

The task of capacity-building and development of law enforcement agencies is prominent and, given its long-term effect, crucial for the successful implementation of any police-related mandate as set out by the Security Council. This is true not just for the peacekeeping context but also for Special Political Missions and other activities in peacebuilding and in the context of conflict prevention.

DURATION OF THE COURSE AND LESSONS

The course is designed as a one-week residential activity. The program is divided into ___ effective Training Units (TU) in total. The lessons are organised in academic hours (from 45 minutes) under the principle for 15-minute break/one teaching period. The program includes both frontal lectures and practical exercises.

The working language is English.

TARGET GROUP

The target group for the course are 20/25 Police Officers from national law enforcement organizations, eligible for deployment in UN Peace Operations. Participants should have a good knowledge of the UN peacekeeping environment. Their level should be as much homogeneous as possible in terms of ranks and seniority (officers, NCO’s, troups) in order to facilitate the training and the assessment of the acquirable objectives. 

AIM

The aim of this training on capacity-building and development is twofold.

On the one hand, participants will gain a detailed understanding of the underlying CBD process and how it fits into the overarching process of Security Sector Reform (SSR). They will become acquainted with relevant tools and techniques and develop skills when applying these tools and techniques to situations that feature some of the most problematic issues during the CBD process. Finally, the participants will have the prospect to question their current views and develop an attitude that will enable them to operate within this complex, long and potentially exhausting process.

On the other hand, attendees will receive a holistic overview of the topic and how it relates to other tasks of UNPOL. The training will familiarise participants with the relevant steps of the process and give them the opportunity to take their first steps in addressing a basic CBD-related task.

OBJECTIVES

Concerning the relevant knowledge, at the end of the training, the learner will:

• deconstruct ideal policing structures, systems and standards;
• evaluate local/host-State policing practices;
• apply human rights standards in the context of police reform;
• understand the political, structural and procedural aspects of police reform within the broader security sector reform;
• match diverse international policing modalities;
• demonstrate understanding of United Nations systems relevant to a capacity-building advisory role.

Concerning the required skills, at the end of training, the learner will:

• specify analytical and problem-solving techniques in a capacity-building environment;
• adapt culturally acceptable and gender-sensitive communication styles and negotiation techniques;
• master planning and decision-making skills;
• execute strategic awareness;
• demonstrate change management concepts.

METHODOLOGY

This training package touches various issues and a variety of knowledge, skills and attitudes that are relevant for CBD. However, the training cannot provide participants with all the aspects referenced. Participants should already possess core competences, which they should have acquired throughout their careers. 

The job-specific training focuses on activities to provide participants with the opportunity to practice their CBD skills. Input is kept to the necessary minimum. Reflection also plays an important role as part of the methodology.

Facilitators should be mindful of the fact that activities are generally designed for small group. Based on their own experience and capability, facilitators are urged to alternate group sizes and work settings where appropriate. 

ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATES 

The evaluation of the attendees will be continuous during the course.

At the end of the course, certificates of participation will be issued to the attendees by the organizer of the training activity.

The certificate will be issued in paper or electronic form as a confirmation of the successful participation of the attendees in the course.