Police cooperation is a pathway to more effective and efficient policing.
Enhanced police cooperation leads to police forces that are better equipped, better trained, and better able to work with other institutions across the criminal justice chain, as well as with other police forces around the world. It can also bolster policing standards and so help foster trust in the police, including through exchange of best practices and optimizing use of resources.
On this International Day of Police Cooperation, we recognize the crucial importance of building trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, including through police integrity, accountability, and oversight. By building trust, we empower the police to do their duty and enhance the legitimacy of their work in the eyes of the public.
Accountable and transparent policing is good for the public, good for the police, and good for the safety and security of all.
At UNODC, we are committed to supporting Member States in upholding the highest standards of policing, and bolstering police cooperation. We work to strengthen accountability mechanisms, implement institutional reforms, and build effective oversight bodies, including through effective implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials. We provide practical tools and resources to help ensure that all investigations are fair, transparent, and impartial. And we build bridges between law enforcement around the world through cooperation platforms.
As we confront global challenges linked to organized crime, terrorism, and corruption, effective and fair policing is more critical than ever. Let’s work together to ensure that police forces worldwide are equipped to face those challenges while enjoying the trust of the people they serve.
