Bahrain participates in Third UN Chiefs of Police Summit

Bahrain participated in Third UN Chief of Police Summit (UNCOPS 22), held in New York from 31 August to 1 September. Leading the Bahraini delegation, Deputy Chief of Public Security, Major-General Dr. Shaikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Khalifa reaffirmed Bahrain's commitment to advancing international cooperation to address the growing challenges to global security and achieve security and peace for all, according to State-run Bahrain News Agency (BNA).

He emphasized the value of ongoing initiatives to strengthen collaboration and coordination through sharing knowledge and experiences in the fight against terrorism and organized crime.

Police in the field embody ‘promise, hope and optimism’ of whole UN: Guterres

Police officers from more than 90 countries who serve at UN operations around the world represent “multilateralism in action”, Secretary-General António Guterres said in his remarks to the Summit, which brought together ministers, police chiefs, and senior representatives of regional and professional policing organizations. 

“Since the first deployment of United Nations Police in 1960, they have continued to embody the promise, hope and optimism of our Organization,” Mr Guterres said. 

UNCOPS 2022 advanced a common understanding among current and potential police and financial contributors, the United Nations Secretariat and United Nations system entities of what the United Nations Police require to achieve their diverse and complex mandated tasks, including protecting civilians, rebuilding national police services, preventing crime and conflict, and sustaining peace.  

The Summit also offered a unique opportunity for the world’s police executives and United Nations leadership to engage in discussions on how United Nations policing and national policing mutually reinforce one another when addressing current and emerging global security challenges, including man-made and natural crises and incidents. 

Discussions during the Summit centred on developing strategies and procedures to operationalize the United Nations Police’s function as a system-wide service provider and focal point for issues relating to UN policing and other law enforcement. Additionally, to support continuing initiatives to expand capacities and improve the performance of the United Nations Police, including the introduction of the Voluntary Compact on Advancing Gender Parity within the United Nations Police Incorporating United Nations policing priorities into international peace and security procedures, dialogues, and fora.

UN Police work to enhance international peace and security by supporting host countries in conflict, post-conflict, and other crisis situations.  

Women comprise over 19 per cent of the approximately 10,000 UN Police serving in 16 peace operations around the world. 

This year, a peacekeeper from Burkina Faso serving in Mali received the United Nations Woman Police Officer of the Year Award, announced on 29 August. 

Chief Warrant Officer Alizeta Kabore Kinda has been honoured for her work to boost trust between the authorities and local communities, including survivors of gender-based violence. 

The Award was established in 2011 to recognize the exceptional contributions of women police officers to UN peace operations and to promote women’s empowerment.