International police missions
Article Security
German police officers are deployed around the world to stabilise countries in crisis.
German police officers have been contributing to peace, security and stability in crisis regions for over 35 years. Under mandates of the United Nations and the European Union, they are involved in international missions for the sustainable development of rule-of-law institutions, support reforms in the civilian security sector and monitor compliance with peace agreements in countries marked by ongoing conflict and tension.
Tasks and objectives
The establishment of international peacekeeping missions in crisis and conflict regions is decided by the respective mandating organisation – the United Nations Security Council or the Council of the European Union. The Federal Government decides on the involvement of German police officers based on its priorities and interests in domestic and foreign policy. In particular, Germany deploys police officers to countries of origin and transit of irregular migration, as well as to regions that pose a strong threat of international terrorism. A key objective of German police contributions in these countries is supporting the establishment of effective police authorities in accordance with international standards and the rule of law. Providing strategic advice and specialist training helps strengthen the capabilities of local security authorities, for example in the fight against terrorism, organised crime and the expansion of integrated border management and citizen-oriented policing.
Overview of Germany’s involvement
Germany is involved in the following international police missions, deploying officers from the Federal Police, the Federal Criminal Police Office, the police forces of the federal states and the customs administration:
UN missions in South Sudan (UNMISS), Kosovo (UNMIK), Somalia (UNSOM) and Cyprus (UNFICYP). These missions focus on protecting the civilian population, monitoring ceasefire agreements, advising on the reform of security sectors and supporting the training of local police forces.
EU missions within the framework of the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy in the Western Balkans (EULEX Kosovo), Middle East (EUPOL COPPS, EUAM Iraq) and South Caucasus (EUMA in Armenia, EUPM in Moldova, EUBAM in Moldova/Ukraine, EUMM in Georgia), as well EUAM Ukraine, EUCAP Somalia and EUSDI GoG, which supports the countries in the Gulf of Guinea. Tasks range from monitoring international agreements to providing strategic advice to the civilian security sector.
History and outlook
Germany took part in a peacekeeping mission for the first time in 1989 – at that time with officers from the Federal Republic of Germany and from the former East Germany. The mission was carried out as part of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Group (UNTAG) in Namibia, the aim of which was to implement the plan for Namibian independence and facilitate fair and free elections in the country.
Since then, German police officers have been continuously involved in international missions, and since 1994, officers from the police forces of the federal states have also been deployed internationally. The successes of international police missions include bringing peace to the Balkan region, the missions in Namibia and Cambodia and the mission in Liberia, which ended in 2017.
In many regions of the world, such as the Sahel, the security situation is currently deteriorating. A lack of stability and a government that no longer provides comprehensive security for its citizens create a breeding ground for fear, danger and violence among the local population. Organised crime and terrorism are transnational threats that have an impact far beyond a country’s national borders. People feel compelled to flee their home countries, sometimes travelling as far as Europe. The German government is responding to this by deploying German police officers to those countries, which include the Sahel region, the Horn of Africa and Iraq. Since the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, Germany has been focussing particularly on supporting the security authorities of its immediate European neighbours.
German police officers have gained an excellent reputation among countries in crisis and, as professional experts in their respective fields, are in high demand for international peacekeeping missions. In addition to providing police expertise, Germany also contributes civilian experts to international peace operations, humanitarian missions and long-term election observation. Civilian experts are provided by the Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF), which was founded by the Federal Government in 2002 on behalf of the Federal Foreign Office.
Date of revision: 29 October 2024
