Police Integrity, Accountability and Oversight
In commemorating the International Day of Police Cooperation, the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Policing highlights the importance of police integrity, accountability, and oversight in strengthening the rule of law, ensuring human rights-based and effective policing, and enhancing public trust towards law enforcement agencies.
Law enforcement institutions are entrusted with a diverse set of tasks requiring a high degree of integrity within police agencies, supported by effective oversight mechanisms, while maintaining high standards of conduct and ensuring that they serve the communities in an effective and transparent way. The effectiveness of a reliable policing system depends on the lawful exercise of its coercive powers, such as any use of force, arrests or detention, and on the transparency and accountability of the mechanisms that rule its actions. For this reason, police integrity, accountability and oversight are essential elements for maintaining public trust, preventing abuse of power, and ensuring justice for all.
The importance of effective police internal and external oversight mechanisms to strengthen accountability and integrity go beyond merely addressing misconduct after police actions; such mechanisms are part of a comprehensive approach that includes preventive measures, consistent and rigorous oversight, and robust and effective systems for reviewing and addressing police conduct. Transforming police organizational practices with a well-structured accountability system involves mechanisms within the police agencies, such as clear and transparent protocols for reporting and investigating misconduct, feedback and opportunities to reflect on lessons learned, remedying improper police actions and omissions, as well as external supervision by independent and impartial institutions that ensure unbiased review, transparency and public scrutiny. Police services in which integrity and accountability are core values in theory and practice ensure better policing, more effective investigations, reduction of human rights abuses, and a workforce that is proud to serve the community.
Within the broad United Nations system, the Secretary-General's zero-tolerance policy underscores a firm commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards in law enforcement. This policy ensures that misconduct, corruption, and abuses of power within police forces are not tolerated, reinforcing the principles of transparency and responsibility. By promoting a robust oversight mechanism to monitor police behavior and enforce accountability, this approach guarantees that law enforcement officials adhere to high standards of conduct. Such measures are essential for maintaining public trust and the legitimacy of policing institutions.
In line with Sustainable Development Goal 16, principles such as integrity and accountability guide the responsible use of force, while preventing discrimination and ensuring that oversight mechanisms within law enforcement institutions operate in accordance with the rule of law. These principles help to ensure that law enforcement officials’ actions are proportionate, promote peace, and contribute to building inclusive institutions at all levels.
Despite progress over the years, challenges in establishing effective police accountability mechanisms persist, leading to impunity for unlawful or disproportionate use of force, bribery and corruption, which continue to compromise public trust and hinder the effectiveness of law enforcement. The United Nations promotes and supports Member States in the implementation of UN standards and norms such as the United Nations and the which highlight the need for transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights in policing. These standards provide a normative foundation for developing effective accountability systems and ensuring that police actions are in accordance with international human rights instruments.
(the GlobE Network) facilitates informal cooperation between anti-corruption law enforcement authorities on transnational corruption cases. Many members are police entities with a mandate to combat transnational corruption. Integrity and accountability of police engaging in direct practitioner-to-practitioner cross-border work is of cardinal importance. between GlobE Members and is developing a community of practitioners with shared principles of informal cooperation. These principles are grounded in integrity and accountability, adherence to national laws and international standards of conduct.
On this International Day of Police Cooperation, the United Nations calls for a renewed commitment to strengthening police integrity, accountability and oversight. A sustained, long-term effort is essential to establish a comprehensive framework for police oversight and accountability, reinforcing integrity within policing systems.
The United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Policing reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that law enforcement practices operate with the highest standards of integrity and accountability. This involves not only strong oversight mechanisms but also fostering a culture where transparency and integrity are key in UN initiatives aimed at enhancing public trust and ensuring that policing effectively serves and protects the communities it serves.
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About the IATF-P
Established in 2021 by the Executive Committee of the Secretary-General and co-chaired by the Department of 探花精选 Operations and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Policing includes 16 entities.
Its purpose is to enhance coherence among United Nations entities at a strategic level and its endeavors encompass strengthening policy standardization, planning, and coordination, mobilizing resources, and fostering dialogue with pertinent United Nations entities and other stakeholders.
The IATF-P promotes the protection of the fundamental rights of individuals sustaining and strengthening the social contract with communities where UN policing professionals are deployed as well as in our home countries. Together, the United Nations bodies working in policing serve as a valuable resource to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against crime and corruption and reestablish and preserve the principles of justice.
