August 2007 | Special Report No. 191
U.S. Police in Peace and Stability Operations
Robert M. Perito
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Summary
- The first obligation of an international intervention force in a peace or stability operation is to provide security for the civilian population. Inevitably the arrival of foreign military forces is followed by a breakdown of public order.
- Historically U.S. military forces have been unable or unwilling to perform police functions
to control large-scale civil unrest. This was true in Iraq, where looters destroyed government buildings, cultural centers, and commercial areas.
- The United States lacks civilian constabulary (gendarmes) or other national police forces specially trained for crowd and riot control. Instead the U.S. relies on civil police provided by commercial contractors that do not perform this function.
- Fortunately the U.S. government is taking steps to address this deficiency. Current State Department plans call for creation of a Civilian Reserve Corps that would have a police component.
- There is no agreement on the ultimate size and character of this police capacity. However, the history of U.S. interventions from Panama to Iraq argues for a robust capability.
- A review of U.S. interventions in post-conflict environments demonstrates that the United States has repeatedly needed highly capable police forces but has lacked the capacity to respond effectively. The case studies in this report provide lessons applicable
to future operations.
- The State Department’s current efforts are a useful first step that will give an opportunity to create the basic infrastructure for expansion of U.S. capabilities in peace and stability operations.
About the Report
This report explains why the United States should carry through current plans to create a federal-level police reserve for international peace and stability operations. The report is part of an effort by the United States Institute of Peace to examine the use of civilian police in peace and stability operations. It should be read in connection with earlier USIP reports on this subject.
Robert M. Perito is a senior program officer at the United States Institute of Peace. He joined the Institute after a distinguished career in the U.S. Foreign Service. He was deputy executive secretary of the National Security Council in the White House, an American Political Science Association congressional fellow, and deputy director of the Justice Department’s International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program.
Of Related Interest
- Center for Post-Conflict Peace and Stability Operations
- Options for Police in a U.S. Civilian Reserve Corps
USIPeace Briefing, May 2007
- Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Iraq
Special Report, March 2007
- Reforming the Iraqi Interior Ministry, Police, and Facilities Protection Service
USIPeace Briefing, February 2007
- Bridging the Public Security Gap: The Role of the Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units (CoESPU) in Contemporary Peace Operations
USIPeace Briefinig, June 2006
- Policing Iraq: Protecting Iraqis from Criminal Violence
USIPeace Briefing, June 2006
- Building Civilian Capacity for U.S. Stability Operations: The Rule of Law Component
Special Report, April 2004
- Enhancing International Civilian Police in Peace Operations
Special Report, April 22, 2002
- American Civilian Police in UN Peace Operations: Lessons Learned and Ideas for the Future
Special Report, July 6, 2001
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