Where requested and mandated, United Nations Police (UNPOL) supports Member States to realize effective, efficient, representative, responsible and accountable police services that serve and protect the population. UNPOL builds and supports police capacity to prevent, detect and investigate crime, protect life and property, and maintain public order and safety in adherence to the rule of law and international human rights norms. UNPOL also pursues community-oriented and intelligence-led policing approaches to contribute to the protection of civilians and human rights; addresses, among other things, sexual and gender-based violence, conflict-related sexual violence, and serious and organized crime; and conducts investigations, special operations, public order management and electoral security.

The United Nations has been deploying police officers for service in peace operations since 1960, with the first deployment to the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC). The number of UNPOL officers authorized for deployment in peacekeeping operations and special political missions has grown from 5,840 in 1995 to about 11,000 in 2020, reflecting increased demand for policing expertise.




Community Policing And Peacekeeping (Advances I...