The International Day of Police Cooperation (7 September) highlights the essential role of international police collaboration in advancing peace, security, and justice.
It reflects the shared commitment among the United Nations system, INTERPOL, Member States, regional organizations, and partners to promoting effective, coordinated, and human rights-centred policing.
How do we protect the most vulnerable?
Refugees, migrants, internally displaced people, women, children, and marginalized communities are often affected by transnational crimes, including trafficking in persons, gender-based violence, online exploitation, financial fraud, and migrant smuggling.
Protecting them requires timely information exchange, operational coordination, capacity-building, and enhanced support to Member States in developing effective and accountable policing responses. These efforts help identify and protect victims. And they disrupt transnational criminal networks.
Building trust and legitimacy
Operational capacity alone, however, is not enough. Public confidence in the integrity, fairness, and professionalism of policing institutions is fundamental to effective policing. Vulnerable groups may experience distrust, whether due to past experiences, perceived discrimination, or limited access to justice.
Inclusive, accountable, and community-oriented approaches can help address this. These include gender-responsive, rights-based, and people-centred policing practices consistent with international standards and UN principles.
“The current global context exacerbates vulnerabilities across regions. Trust in public institutions is under strain,” says Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for 色库TV Operations.
“In such difficult times, legitimate policing is, therefore, a most important area for international police cooperation.”
Cooperation at the “heart” of UN Police
United Nations Police embody this cooperation, bringing together officers seconded by national police services from around the world.
More than 7,500 United Nations Police personnel are currently authorized across 14 missions and regional offices, with women holding around 40 per cent of senior United Nations Police leadership posts.
“For United Nations Police, cooperation is at the heart of what we do,” says United Nations Police Adviser Faisal Shahkar.
By working with national police services, INTERPOL, regional organizations, the United Nations system and other partners, United Nations Police help coordinate responses to cross-border threats, strengthen capacities, build trust and protect those most at risk.
