Programme description

Title: Strengthening of Police Structures
Commissioned by: German Federal Foreign Office
Country: Palestinian territories (Focus on Zone A of the West Bank)
Lead executing agency: Palestinian Authority; Palestinian Ministry of Interior (MoI); Palestinian Civil Police (PCP)
Overall term: 2010 to 2012

Context

Efforts to achieve just and lasting peace in the Middle East are a priority of German foreign policy. The basis for these efforts is the roadmap worked out by the Middle East Quartet (the EU, the USA, Russia and the UN), a detailed plan for peace that aims to lead to a comprehensive and just two-state solution with a democratic Palestinian state.

Establishing and consolidating functioning security authorities that act according to the rule of law is an important component towards achieving this goal. The authorities’ responsibility is to guarantee public security in the Palestinian territories. An efficient and professional civil police force that acts according to the principles of the rule of law is a key factor. It must be able to work together with judges, public prosecutors and the penal system to bring the public the security it desires and expects. In this way, the project aims to restore the public’s confidence in the state and the institutions acting on its behalf.

Objective

The police force in the Palestinian territories is well-trained and well-equipped. Its actions are based on principles of the rule of law and it is willing and able to take responsibility for security.

Approach

The programme strengthens the competence of the police force and its structures in the Palestinian territories.

To begin with, four police stations and a Simulation Training Station will be planned and developed along with the partner, and the needed technical equipment will be determined and procured. In a transparent tendering process, the construction procedure will be designed and supported with the partner in accordance with the contractual agreement. In the next step, advice on all aspects of the construction measures will be provided and support given.

The design of the stations aims to support the concept of a citizen-oriented police force that operates on the basis of international standards and respects human rights. Ultimately, the buildings, whose construction is technically and economically appropriate, will be handed over to the users. The construction measures will allow the police to have a stronger presence among the population. In future, each police station is to offer the necessary infrastructure and logistical requirements for routine, citizen-oriented, professional police work in its area (community policing).

Having been commissioned by the German Federal Foreign Office and having coordinated plans with it, GIZ will ensure that networks are expanded and maintained and that individual measures are monitored by third parties. Here, a particular focus is placed on safeguarding the interests of the Palestinian partner (ownership and leadership) and coordination with it. The German Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) provides additional advice with regard to police expertise, as well as support.

Additional programme-related modules may be developed and implemented in parallel and in a complementary manner to the planned construction components (capacity development modules). Their aim is to ensure the sustainability of the construction measures and enhance the capacity of the Palestinian police and specifically train them to carry out their duties professionally.

In the medium term, the project’s goals call for the civil population to profit from the increased presence, the improved training and the citizen orientation of the police. The civil police force is to be perceived by the population as a positive entity and confidence in the police is to be strengthened. In addition, the project envisages that the civil police will join forces with judges, public prosecutors and the penal system to grant the population the security it desires and expects and in turn, create important conditions for efficient development.

Results achieved so far

The participatory development of a concept for the police stations based on international standards has strengthened the endeavour of the partners and decision-makers to also implement the planning and has raised awareness of the need for a citizen-oriented police force.