Peace hinges on people-centred policing, global summit hears
Key takeawaysThe UN Chiefs of Police Summit runs from 7 to 8 JulyUN Police (UNPOL) has deployed 4,626 officers, including at seven UN missionsWomen represent 21.7 per cent of all UNPOL personnelUNPOL provides technical assistance via the Standing Police Capacity in ItalyUNPOL works closely with such partners as the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and UN Office of Counter-TerrorismThe two-day summit brings together ministers, chiefs of police and senior representatives of policing organizations to discuss how UN policing and national police can mutually reinforce one another in addressing current and emerging global security challenges.“The goal of this summit is to ensure that our Organization is aligned and prepared to support the nearly 4,500 UN Police personnel nearly 80 countries who serve across our peace operations while also helping shape how United Nations policing continues to evolve to meet today’s increasingly complex security environment,” said chief of UN Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix.“Ultimately, the focus is on ensuring that we continue to invest in peace by investing in effective policing, strong partnerships and the women and men who serve on the front lines every single day,” he said.Budget cut impactsMr. Lacroix said recent budget cuts from the lack of some Member States fully paying assessed contributions “have had a real impact across the board where it matters most”.“The approved budgets remain in place, but without the necessary cash, those budgets cannot be fully implemented,” he said. “We have effectively had to reduce spending by around 25 per cent, and this affects nearly every aspect of our work.”Less payments mean reduced patrols in high-risk areas, longer response times to developing crises and fewer opportunities to train and support local police so they can assume full responsibility when missions eventually wind down.
