This course aims to enhance participants’ knowledge on the role of a strategic Police Advisor within an international Police Reform context. It is aimed at those currently involved in – or who plan to get involved in supporting Police Reform programmes.
Welcome to this online course on Policing and Police Reform in Complex Environments! This course is a joint collaboration between the International Security Sector Advisory Team of the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF/ISSAT), the United States Institute for Peace (USIP), Durham University and the Norwegian Police University College. The United Nations Police Division, including its Standing Police Capacity (SPC), has also made significant contributions to this course.
The main objective of this course is to enhance participants’ knowledge on the role of a strategic Police Advisor within an international Police Reform context. This will be achieved by highlighting the actors, dynamics and issues related to Police Reform and by discussing how Police Reform initiatives fit into broader Security and Justice Reform processes.
This course is aimed at those currently involved in – or who plan to get involved in supporting Police Reform programmes.
This course is designed to be informative and practical, providing participants with tools, tips, examples and good practice on reform aspects in general and on Police Reform in particular. The ideas put forward in this course should be viewed as options for consideration on a case-by-case basis, and should in no way be interpreted as prescriptive or mandatory.
You will need between five to six hours to complete this course. The course is divided into four main lessons:
Lesson 1: The Roles and Models of an Effective Police Service;
Lesson 2: Contextualising Police Reform;
Lesson 3: Understanding the Process of Police Reform; and
Lesson 4: The Role of the United Nations Police in Peace Operations.
Each lesson has specific learning objectives that will be introduced at the beginning of the lesson. You will also have access to additional resources, including Lesson Manuals, throughout the course.
N.B. The course works best in Google Chrome. However, other updated versions of Firefox and Internet Explorer can be used as well.
For further queries on the e-learning, please feel free to get in touch with us at elearning@issat.dcaf.ch
Course info
Those who are currently engaged in, or plan to be engaged in, Police Reform or related processes in international or national settings.
5-6 hours.
The course works best in Google Chrome. However, other updated versions of Firefox and Internet Explorer can be used as well.
Welcome to the Course
Welcome by UNPOL Chief Stefan Feller.
Introductory Lesson: Fundamentals of Policing and Police Reform
This Lesson will define the key concepts of policing and identify various actors involved in policing. It will also examine the concepts of Police Reform and Security Sector Reform and the relationship between the two.
Lesson 1: The Roles and Models of an Effective Police Service
This Lesson deals with the functions and roles of a modern police service. It introduces key actors, principles and models of policing.
Lesson 2 - Contextualising Police Reform
This Lesson introduces the reform process and identifies key issues that are addressed by such a process. It also examines triggers for Police Reform and the importance of adapting an SSR approach to Police Reform.
Lesson 3 - Understanding the Process of Police Reform
This Lesson proposes a basic methodology for engaging in Police Reform, both as an implementer and as a supporter. The lesson will also highlight the importance of several cross-cutting issues.
Lesson 4 - The Role of the United Nations Police in Peace Operations
This Lesson will deal with the evolving roles and functions of the United Nations Police. It will also highlight challenges and lessons identified in international support to Police Reform processes.
Bibliography
Consult complete course bibliography or course bibliography broken down according to lessons.
Photo Credits
Acknowledgement of photos used in this course.
Assessment and Evaluation
Take the assessment to obtain your certificate and provide us your feedback.