ARRC Journal 2019 | Page 90

ARRC JOURNAL The aim of Stability Policing The aim of SP is to establish a safe and secure environment (SASE), restore public order and security and contribute to create the conditions for effective governance. Throughout the spectrum of conflict the initial goal of SP is to re- establish and maintain sufficient security for the local populace. Afterwards, it seeks to re-establish law and order and to enforce the law, eventually leading to reinforcement of local security institutions. Is Stability Police a function of the Military Police? The key components of SP, in the wake of the NATO MSU, developed over approximately two decades. Stability Policing is not currently a defined function of the MP corps, but the discussion within NATO is ongoing. Taking into consideration that SP requires a civil policing-focussed mindset and a specialist approach, such thinking reflects that focus, meeting the needs and expectations of the civil population in order to be successful. Stability Policing is a capability that can be applied to any NATO operation and includes a wide range of civil police activities that focus on civil populations. Security Policing may be conducted by a range of military forces; the best suitable forces are the gendarmerie-type forces and the MP. When MP are required to conduct SP, they are not conceptually performing MP activities, but assisting in delivering civil police activities. Other military forces can contribute with their own specialised capabilities. The added value of SP is inherent in its contribution to enable NATO to have a holistic approach to crisis response. The added usefulness for the NATO Force commander resides in having the availability of military forces trained and equipped to conduct the operation with a specialist capacity of civil policing. 90 ALLIED RAPID REACTION CORPS The Centre of Excellence for Stability Police Units (CoESPU) Stemming from an Italian initiative, supported by G8 Summit countries as part of a wider action plan of the International Community for Expanding Global Capability for Peace Support Operations, with an emphasis on African countries, the CoESPU was established by the Carabinieri on 1 March 2005 in Vicenza, Italy. The CoESPU, as a national structure opened to international contributions, is a centre for advanced studies and a doctrinal hub, serving as a think tank and a training centre that mainly operates in cooperation with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and with other international organisations, to develop Carabinieri-like units of interested police contributing countries committed to support peace operations. Sponsored by the US Department of State through its Global Peace Operations Initiative, the project is based on the international expertise developed by the Italian Carabinieri, as well as on their expertise developed through numerous peacekeeping missions over last few decades. The Centre is primarily dedicated to: • Conducting training programs; • Maturing current police peacekeeping doctrine and related best practises, developing doctrinal proposals and new operational procedures; • Promote interoperability principles; • Be an active part of a worldwide ‘doctrinal network’, interacting with the various international organisations, academic institutes and research centres. The CoESPU’s training efforts aim to prepare police peacekeepers specialised in managing the transition from a post- crisis situation to a stable environment for reconstruction, through a people and community-oriented approach. The Centre of Excellence is open to all countries interested in establishing their own SP units, which may be employed in peace operations under the auspices of the UN, as well as of other international organisations. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Captain Patrick Crossland is a 12- year veteran of the British Army and currently serves as a Military Police staff officer with the ARRC. In his previous assignment he served as the Operations Officer for the 158th Provost Company, Royal Military Police in Bulford, England. Capt. Crossland has deployed on combat operations in Afghanistan and has conducted Military Police training on four continents. A native of North Yorkshire, England, Capt. Crossland holds a degree in International Politics from Swansea University.