Risks Faced by International Civilian Police
International civilian police are police officers deployed by United Nations (UN) for peacekeeping operations in countries experiencing internal or civil wars. They are deployed to offer assistance in security policy functions helping the local police protect citizens. International civilian police play an essential role in ensuring the protection of the citizens of a war-stricken country and their human rights, but they face several risks that put their lives in danger. The hazards include terrorist attacks, kidnappings, exposure to foreign diseases, mental health issues, inadequate housing and poor living conditions, and unfamiliar environments and cultures. The strategies that UN peace operation use to overcome these risks include security training, partnering with several organizations to access resources, and conducting risk assessment before the peace operation.
Risks Faced by International Civilian Police
- Security Risks
Security risks that international civilian police face during peacekeeping operations include terrorist attacks and kidnappings. Many peacekeeping operations have undergone deliberate attacks by militia groups, organized crime groups, or terrorists. International civilian police have been kidnapped by rebel and terrorist groups; an example was in 2015, three peacekeeping civilians removing land mines were abducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This kidnapping was followed by a series of other kidnappings of peacekeeping personnel, with some losing their lives. As of 2017, more than three thousand five hundred UN personnel were killed in the line of work. This has affected peacekeeping efforts where in some instances, the personnel abandon the operation or the personnel refuse to go to the mission.
- Health Risks
Some health risks that international civilian police face includes exposure to foreign diseases that may lead to death. Illnesses contribute to among the highest causes of death of international civilian police. In some countries, healthcare centers are not easily accessible, affecting the personnel’s access to quick and quality healthcare services. The officers may be exposed to communicable diseases spread by the locals, and without timely assistance, one may die. Mental illness is another health risk faced by these officers. During peacekeeping operations, the personnel goes to war-stricken areas, exposing them to high-stress situations that may leave them with PTSD. Going from place to place may also cause one to experience burnout, reducing productivity.
- Safety Risks
Some safety risks include poor living conditions and inadequate housing where the international civilian police cannot access safe living conditions in war-stricken areas. Some peacekeeping personnel have to sleep in tents or cars; they do not have access to clean, sanitary areas exposing them to hygienic diseases. Another safety risk is going to an unfamiliar environment and culture. When going on a peacekeeping mission, personnel may not always know and understand the culture of the people in the area. The language barrier between the officers and the locals may cause the civilian police to be received negatively by hostile communities putting their lives in danger. An unfamiliar environment is a safety risk because the officers may enter the enemy territory without knowing they are going the wrong way.
Strategies for Overcoming these Risks
Conducting standardized security training for all international civilian police is a strategy that UN peace operations use to ensure their personnel’s safety. Security training helps them to know what to do during certain security situations that put their lives in danger. Drills should be used to ensure the personnel is fully prepared for various security and safety risks they may face during the operation. Another strategy that the UN uses is partnering with several organizations to access resources they need to ensure the safety of the international civilian police. Lack of resources like enough security personnel, funds, and translators have put civilian police at risk of attacks by enemy groups during peacekeeping operations.
Enough resources ensure the officers can plan for an attack, prevent one, and ensure they have everything they need to stay safe. Another strategy is conducting a risk assessment to ensure the international civilian police are safe and have everything they need to complete a successful peace operation. UN conducts risk assessments with the host country to identify risks that the officers may experience during the operation. This helps the UN to plan efficiently on what the civilian police need to protect themselves and areas they should avoid for their safety. This also helps to ensure that the UN organizes a response team according to the challenges the international civilian police may face during peacekeeping operations.
Conclusion
International civilian police play an essential role in helping war-stricken countries to achieve peace and protect citizens from war. In their attempt to spread peace, these officers face challenges like terrorist attacks, kidnappings, exposure to infectious diseases, mental health issues, inadequate housing, and poor living conditions and language. The UN uses security training, partner with several organizations to access resources, and conduct risk assessment strategies to ensure the safety of their police. Even with these strategies in place, UN peacekeeping personnel still experience some risks; hence more research should be done, and innovative approaches developed to help protect the international civilian police from the evolving health, safety, and security risks.
