Secretariat - Strategic Police Matters Unit

In December 2001, the participating States of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe declared their intention to strengthen police-related activities. The goal was to improve the protection of participating States against the emerging new risks and challenges posed by transnational and organized crime, arms, drugs and other forms of trafficking, the failure to uphold the rule of law, and human rights violations.

The Strategic Police Matters Unit (SPMU) at the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna has a network of police advisers in several OSCE missions or field operations. They frequently respond to requests from participating States for specific expert advice on policing and police-related activities.

Good policing has played a vital role in preventing conflict (particularly secondary conflicts), in preserving social stability during political crises, as well as in supporting the rehabilitation period following the end of a conflict.

Equally apparent is that without effective law enforcement and genuine respect for the rule of law and the institutions responsible for upholding it, there can be little likelihood of social, political or economic stability.