Publication

Since their first deployment in 1960, United Nations police (UNPOL) have consistently been present in UN missions. Since 1999, UN mission objectives have often included the protection of civilians (POC), but this report contends that the protective role of UNPOL is often overlooked, with missions often relying on militarized POC approaches. In response, the text’s author examines the roles and responsibilities of UNPOL regarding POC, highlighting the comparative advantages of UN police in this capacity. He also provides recommendations for the UN on how to improve UNPOL’s efforts to protect civilians going forward.