Royal Canadian Mounted Police
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Canada's Police - Building a More Secure World
Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force (START)
International peace operations
Over the past two decades, Canada has deployed more than 2,500 police officers to 50 peace missions around the world. Today, Canadian police are serving in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Eastern and Western Europe, and the Americas (Haiti).
Canadian police work closely with domestic and international partners to rebuild and strengthen police services and related public institutions in countries experiencing conflict or upheaval.
By supporting local police and building their capacity to maintain law and order, Canadian police help set the stage for a safe and stable environment. This paves the way for humanitarian assistance, social and economic development and, ultimately, sustained peace.
A more secure environment may also prevent illicit activities—such as human trafficking, arms and drug smuggling, and fraud—from spilling across borders into other countries, including Canada.
Canada’s government: helping countries in need
The decision to deploy police to international peace operations is made within the framework of the Canadian Police Arrangement (CPA), a partnership between:
- Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT);
- the Canadian International Development Agency;
- Public Safety Canada; and
- the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
The CPA, along with its principles and guidelines, responds to the Government of Canada’s international peace and security objective of building a more secure world. It also gives Canadian police agencies the capacity to meet the growing demands of international deployments while continuing to effectively police their own communities.
How the CPA works
DFAIT is the first point of contact for foreign requests for Canadian police assistance, which come from organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union, as well as from individual countries.
The RCMP manages the deployment of police to international peace operations. This work includes planning and evaluating missions, selecting and training candidates from across the country, providing emotional and logistical support throughout deployment, and ensuring a smooth transition to life in Canada after a mission.
Since 1995, numerous municipal and provincial police services have worked closely with the RCMP to meet the international community’s demand for Canadian police assistance, as well as to deliver many aspects of this international policing program.
Police contributions
Canadian police play widely varying roles within each mission, from patrolling streets and training police recruits to providing humanitarian assistance, ensuring security for elections and investigating major crimes or human rights violations. They are also often asked to take on leadership positions in missions.
In Afghanistan, Canadians are training the Afghan National Police and providing them with much-needed uniforms and equipment. As well, a Canadian is responsible for advising and mentoring the Kabul city police chief.
In Haiti, Canadians are investigating human rights abuses in prisons and local communities. They have also consistently served in high-ranking positions such as police commissioner and regional commander.
In Sudan, Canadians have advanced gender equality by ensuring that female recruits are trained as police officers, rather than automatically assigned to secretarial duties.
Canada benefits
Serving on a mission is an exciting opportunity for police officers to work internationally in support of peace and security. But Canadian police agencies and the communities they serve benefit from their experience as well.
“On the street, I might lose an experienced officer for a period of time,” says Deputy Chief Chuck Mercier of Durham Regional Police. “But in return, I get an officer with a broader scope on policing, and a more global perspective, as well as stronger leadership and problem-solving skills. In essence, I get back a stronger future leader.”
Police partners: Join the program
The RCMP is striving to bring more police services into the international peace operations program. Those who are interested in participating are invited to contact the RCMP’s International Peace Operations Branch for more information.
Email: peacekeeping@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Telephone: 613-993-4915
