NCJ Number
183515
Date Published
2000
Length
22 pages
Annotation
The participation of the United States in multi-national peacekeeping activities involving military and civilian police is subject to compartmentalization and suffers from limited budgetary and human resources as well as lack of long-range planning and oversight.
Abstract
The major U.S. agencies involved in multinational peacekeeping activities are the Department of State, the Agency for International Development, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Defense. In addition, 30 other government departments and agencies provide "rule of law" assistance. Moreover, there is no existing relevant legislation on conditions and circumstances under which the United States should plan active participation in multinational peacekeeping activities, U.S. assistance to United Nations (UN) civilian police operations, the designation of U.S. government agencies to be involved in UN operations, and provision for a U.S. civilian police ready reserve program to be on call for participation in multinational peacekeeping activities. The authors recommend that new legislation be drafted to enhance U.S. participation in support of multinational peacekeeping activities. To this end, the Center for Strategic and International Studies has developed a workshop to establish a comprehensive legislative framework for consideration by the relevant authorities. The workshop focuses on the history of U.S. involvement in international police operations, criminal justice and law enforcement, judicial and court operations, civil government and military reform, the use and abuse of discretionary authority, and the role of Congress. Annexes list workshop participants and U.S. departments and agencies involved in rule of law activities. 6 references