The Police and Peace Support Operations: A Theoretical Review

Abstract

Theories are essential in studying phenomena and events as they are generally used in analyzing situations such as democracy, peace, conflict, war, and the phenomenon of Peace Support Operations (PSOs) globally. Peace support operations have evolved and currently have police components, which has also raised complex issues in the general need for PSOs and the functionality and justifications of the various theories of police participation in PSOs. The main problem the research seeks to study is the justification of the usage of the police component in PSOs and the identification of various strengths and weaknesses of the various theories employed in the usage of the police in PSOs propounded by different scholars. Being a study that focused on theories of police participation in PSOs, the theoretical framing of the study was hinged on the theory of police intervention. The study utilized the cross-sectional survey method, collecting data from a population composed mainly of secondary sources. The study’s main objective is to examine and review theories of PSOs and the participation of the police in PSOs. Findings from the study showed a multiplicity of theories are available in explaining the phenomenon of PSOs and Police participation the police each with several weaknesses and strengths, which in a sense underscores the role of theories in PSOs. Findings also revealed that apart from the Police, the military, diplomats, and civilian personnel are also involved in PSOs. The study identified and reviewed several relevant theories of the police participation in Peace Support Operations. A major contribution of the study to knowledge is in the area of theoretical strengthening and philosophical justification through the identification of strengths and weaknesses of various theories reviewed, thereby adding to the existing body of literature. It is hoped that the recommendations in the study will contribute to strengthening UN PSOs. The study will serve as an additional contribution to existing literature in the field of PSOs. The study recommends that more theories of PSOs should evolve to justify its phenomenon globally. This is relevant because most theories of PSOs did not explain the phenomenon of non-participation and non-contribution of some member states of the UN to peace support.