This paper describes the role of various police agencies in peacekeeping efforts in Southeastern Europe, with attention to the achievements of the Slovenian police in this arena.
The involvement of police in international peacekeeping began in 1960 with the operation of a small unit of Ghana police officers under the United Nations Mission in Congo. This police role has expanded in frequency and comprehensiveness since the end of the Cold War. Peacekeeping operations by a predominantly military force have been increasingly replaced with complex peacekeeping operations that involve partnerships between military and civilian actors. This structure for peacekeeping has emerged under the belief that conflicts are best resolved through democratization and the building of institutions and coalitions that involve conflicting parties. The situation in Southeastern Europe demonstrates this complex approach in which the international community, through an international body, coordinates democratization and institution-building in a context of security operations intended to prevent violence and maintain order. In Bosnia and Herzegovina the implementation of the civilian aspects of the peace agreement is coordinated by the Office of High Representative (OHR). Police functions are part of the OHR's responsibilities. The largest international police contingent in the region operates in the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, with the European Union's (EU's) police involved in the stabilization and reconstruction of countries in the region. The Slovenian police have participated in peace operations since 1997, beginning in Albania and expanding to 103 deployments in 10 operations in 7 countries. This paper presents a table that lists the following information for each territory in Southeastern Europe where police are involved in peace-keeping activities: the name of the operation, its duration, the coordinating international body, the strength of the civilian police component, and the main tasks of the civilian police. 1 figure, 2 tables, 6 notes, and 11 references
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