Security Sector Reform and Democratic Policing

Because security forces and the institutions that oversee them are often a primary source and tool of government abuse of power, MPRI assists local governments to transform their security sectors in a comprehensive manner. Although external intervention forces such as NATO, UN peacekeepers and foreign militaries can help bring stability, it is the local security sector that must establish and sustain law and order, and thereby create the space for political and economic reform. MPRI helps build effective, accountable and legitimate security and justice institutions, and we train professionals to act within the context of new policy and institutional frameworks. With more than 15 years of experience working with the USG, international institutions and local governments to build effective and accountable security sectors, MPRI helps legislators, ministers and other government leaders to understand their roles in overseeing the security sector. MPRI develops appropriate civil-military divisions and relationships; professionalizes and democratizes the armed forces, law enforcement and intelligence; and builds institutions to govern and hold security sector actors accountable.  MPRI reinforces these core activities with assistance in the areas of legislative reform, democratic policing, national security systems, justice sector reform, border control and customs.