Fields of work

Policing

Modern, democratic and pro-active police services are elementary to tackle national as well as transnational security threats, which in the last decades have considerably evolved in the OSCE region. The Organization supports the development of policing that follows such democratic and community-based principles.

Guide / manual / handbook

Guidebook on Democratic Policing

24 January 2007

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Many factors can affect security and stability, often across borders, population segments or the OSCE’s three dimensions.

Security threats have dramatically evolved in the last decades, in the OSCE region and beyond. International criminal networks are increasingly interconnected and dynamic and adapt well to new circumstances, challenges and opportunities. At the same time, policing has also changed, adopting democratic and community policing principles and aiming for more transparency and accountability.

The OSCE’s civilian police-related activities are an integral part of its efforts in conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation […]

OSCE Strategic Framework for Police-related Activities

Building on our comprehensive and co-operative approach to security, we work on strategies to tackle the issue head-on.

Our work in this field is aimed at helping participating States develop modern, democratic and efficient police forces. Our activities are concentrated on two main aspects of policing: development and reform of police forces within the principles of democratic policing, and building the capacities of law enforcement personnel in OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation. The former includes a special focus on community policing and police-public partnerships, training and the promotion of protecting victims and the vulnerable, while the latter aims to strengthen the States’ and Partners’ capacities to effectively counter transnational organized crime, terrorism, trafficking in illicit drugs, trafficking in human beings and cybercrime.

Our institutions, field operations and offices bring to the task expert skills and knowledge to develop tailor-made solutions for each challenge.

Our institutions and offices

The Secretariat’s Transnational Threats Department includes a specialized unit that works specifically on police reform and development issues, the Strategic Police Matters Unit. The Unit is the OSCE’s focal point for police-related work. Its task is to support the participating States in their efforts to counter criminal activities while upholding the rule of law and ensuring respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Its work ranges from dealing with organized crime, preventing the illicit trafficking of drugs and chemical precursors and of human beings, to police reform, community policing and gender equality in police forces.

A group of uniformed police officers standing in formation outdoors. They are dressed in black uniforms with peaked caps featuring silver emblems.

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Transnational Threats Department

The Department is the focal point for the OSCE’s action against transnational threats. It works on fighting terrorism, managing borders, strengthening cyber

Our operations on the ground

All field operations implement activities that focus on strengthening the rule of law. Their work ranges from legislative and judicial reform to strengthening the independence of the judiciary, reporting on hate crimes, trial monitoring and helping to ensure proper referral of complaints of human rights violations.