Policing and (in)security in fragile and conflict-affected settings

The aim of this report is to provoke critical reflection and considered discussion on the effectiveness of existing international assistance to police and other internal security actors in fragile and conflict-affected countries through a series of thematic discussions derived from the literature on policing in a number of African countries. Taking a developmental and human security perspective, the paper focuses on the diffuse networks of non-state and state providers that serve as the primary safety and security providers for a vast majority of communities. While hybrid policing systems vary in capacity and end-user satisfaction, traditional statutory policing structures are generally characterized by severe dysfunction, politicization, and abuse with impunity. Considering the diverse challenges faced by many national police actors on the continent, the paper questions the efficacy of prevailing state-centric security assistance programs and their overwhelming focus on strengthening “enforcement” capacities. It cautions donors to take a more considered approach to ensure their police assistance activities are supporting the protection-not the predation-of local communities.