12. Letter to the Chairman of the Committee from the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
PEACE SUPPORT OPERATIONS: INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE FOR UK POLICE PERSONNEL
During the course of 2005 an FCO-led Strategic Taskforce on International Policing conducted a review of the UK's approach to policing in Peace Support Operations (PSOs). The task force consisted of Whitehall departments with an interest in international policing, together with ACPO, ACPOS, Chief Constables from a number of individual forces, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and the Association of Police Authorities.
One of the recommendations agreed by the then Foreign and Home Secretaries at the end of that process was the development of a written manual to underpin the UK's future policing contribution to PSOs. With this letter I am pleased to enclose the result of that recommendation: Peace Support Operations: Information and Guidance for UK police personnel. (not printed)
The handbook aims to provide practical and accessible guidance to UK police officers deploying to PSOs around the world. In addition to explaining why the UK makes a contribution to PSOs, it outlines, among other things, international policing principles, the legal context in which such missions operate, the kind of tasks UK officers might perform, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. The handbook will reinforce officers' pre-deployment training and act as an aide-memoire whilst on mission.
I hope that you will find it useful background on International Policing more generally. If you have any comments or feedback on the Guidelines or would like further information please do not hesitate to contact the International Secondments Team, Conflict Group, W3.115, FCO, King Charles Street.
Dr Kim Howells MP
Minister of State
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
20 June 2007
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