What do police officers need to know in order to work in international crisis management and peacekeeping missions? This question was central to the Clingendael Academy’s Pre-Deployment Training, which we organised last month at the Police Academy in Warnsveld, The Netherlands. During the 5-day training, we trained a group from the Dutch National Police, as part of a longer training programme organised by the ‘Team International Police Deployments’ (known as TIPU).

The aim: enhancing the knowledge and skills which prepare them for deployment in a conflict-affected area.

In order to achieve this, our training equipped the participants with both in-depth thematic workshops and intensive skills training, such as conflict analysis, negotiation, and intercultural communication. Thematically, this training covered topics such as the changing nature of peacekeeping, Security Sector Reform, and gender within missions. We discussed the role of the police and practical examples from missions to which the Dutch Police have contributed. There was a wide range of expertise and mission experience in the group.

The Clingendael Academy looks back on a productive and cohesive training!