Who Trains Peacekeepers? Measuring the Effects of Foreign Police Training

• In Event: Peacekeeping

Abstract

UN peacekeeper training is process that is directed by the UN, but implemented and conducted by member states. As a result, training is different in each contributor. As part a 2018 survey of the Zambia Police Service (ZPS), respondents reported receiving police training from or in 40 different countries, including South Africa, China, Botswana, and Sweden, in addition to their training at the academy. Higher ranking police officers were more likely to have participated in some form of internationalized training. As the 20th largest contributor to United Nations peace operations as of March 2023, Zambia contributes over 900 personnel to the UN’s efforts to keep and build peace by providing both police and military personnel. Existing research has uncovered the socialization impacts of receiving military training, yet less is known about the differences in strategies and tactics imparted based on the country providing the training. Based on an original survey experiment of ZPS officers, I attempt to uncover how the provider of police training might impact the way officers approach their tasks. This has important implications not only for domestic security, but also UN peacekeeping as these officers carry the results of training with them into missions.

Author

• Michael Kriner, Cornell University