Developing the global ‘thin blue line’: Supporting international policing through professionalisation

In an increasingly interconnected world police have enhanced their cooperative capacities with one another to counter the rise in trans-national crime and to combat the increase of international terrorism. Additionally civilian police have become a resource for international peacekeeping missions to maintain public order in times of crisis or post-conflict rebuilding. Police have sought to improve their practices and the way they do their core business in light of the need to address contemporary challenges. Driven by social and political pressures, policing has undergone many reforms aimed at improving practices and accountability, reducing corruption and instilling a culture of professionalism.
   
   This thesis examines the challenges police must now face in order to undertake their international operational responsibilities. It considers whether the pursuit of police professionalisation can enhance capabilities to meet increasing demands for police to deliver international services. This thesis details the contextual development of both international policing and police professionalisation, and explores the existing literature on key developments within these subjects. It examines three case studies and the content of interviews conducted with police subject matter experts who have had previous involvement in international policing operations.
   
   The examination of policing is limited within this thesis to police organisations and police practitioners that that have adopted a policing by consent model as this aligns the research with the intent of international policing operations and the goals of the organisations undertaking such operations. In this context, police are answerable to governance structures founded on democratic principles, and are accountable to the communities they police.
   
   Overall, this thesis argues that the concepts and activities within police professionalisation can address some of the challenges facing police in the international context.