Peace operations
Canada has deployed police officers to peace missions around the world since 1989. Over 4,000 Canadian police officers have been to over 33 countries, including Sudan, Kosovo, West Bank, Haiti and Afghanistan. They help rebuild or strengthen police services in countries experiencing conflict or upheaval. Through police participation in these missions, Canada commits to building a more secure world.
Serving on a mission is a unique opportunity for police officers to contribute to public safety in unstable countries. It also allows them to improve their leadership, and problem-solving and intercultural skills. This benefits their police services and the communities they serve at home.
How it works
Requests for Canadian police come from organizations such as the United Nations or from specific countries. The decision to deploy Canadian police is made via the Canadian Police Arrangement (CPA), a partnership between Global Affairs Canada, Public Safety Canada and the RCMP. The goal of the Canadian Police Arrangement is to support the Government of Canada's commitments to build a more secure world through Canadian police participation in international peacekeeping and peace support operations, which are critical to longer-term security system reform and conflict-prevention efforts.
The RCMP manages the deployment of Canadian police, including:
- planning and evaluating missions
- selecting and training personnel
- providing support throughout the deployment
Canadian police personnel deployed abroad come from a wide range of police services, not only the RCMP. These police officers have many roles depending on the mission, including:
- training, mentoring and monitoring
- supporting free and fair elections
- investigating human rights violations
- responding to humanitarian crises
Canadian police can also work on specialized teams that focus on areas of:
- community policing
- management development
- serious and organized crime
Collaborations
The RCMP has collaborated with several organizations to promote the awareness of the Canadian Police Arrangement and its good work.
Casques BleuEs documentary
The French-language documentary Casques BleuEs highlights the experiences and importance of police women in peacekeeping by following a select number of officers during their deployment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Peacekeeping anthology
For two years, the Canadian Police Arrangement worked with the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association on their Peacekeeping Anthology project.
This project was officially launched on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, May 29, 2023. The RCMP coordinated the participation of several police officers.
National Peacekeepers' Day
Every year on August 9, Canada marks National Peacekeepers' Day to honour and remember the service and sacrifices of all Canadian peacekeepers, including military, police and civilian efforts.
Ceremonies are held across Canada, including a national ceremony at the Peacekeeping Monument in Ottawa.
The Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping plays a major role coordinating the ceremony, where the RCMP provides a troop of police officers each year.
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