Longshore Defense Base Act
DBLA FAQ
Civilian Police International
DynCorp (not Firefox Friendly)
PAE's Police Mission Site
CIVPOL Alumni Association
PAST
Current State Dept Police Missions
Civpol.org
Enhancing CIVPOL in Peace Operations
US Civilian Police in UN Peace Ops
Bridging the Public Security Gap
Recruitment of Women for Missons(pdf)
State Dept Recruits Women for Missions
UNMIK Online (Kosovo)

Notes on links:

The most important piece of information for you is in the Longshore Defense Base Act.  It is the law that covers you in a CIVPOL Mission concerning injuries, workman's comp, and death benefits. The DBLA FAQ page is a good browse before you go on a mission.  We have included liks to Civilian Police International, DynCorp, and PAE.  These are the top employers for CIVPOL Missions. 

A very important link is the CIVPOL Alumni Association. We encourage membership in the association. Be sure to visit the site and see the tribute to the fallen CIVPOL Officers.

Some of the links are reports on CIVPOL around the world. 

What is a Police Mission?

A police mission is a project/program sponsored by the United Nations, The European Union (EU), NATO, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) or the US State Department. These programs use International Civilian Police (CivPol) officers to carry out "the mission."

U.S. police officers from all over the country to participate in international civilian police activities and local police development programs in countries around the world. They participate in training and advising police in post conflict nations. Often this involves starting up entire police departments and national police agencies from the ground up. Working as an international police officer can be challenging and a very rewarding experience.

International Civilian Police Program (CivPol) and INL

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs recruits U.S. police officers from all over the country to participate in international civilian police activities and local police development programs in countries around the world.

Decisions to deploy U.S. CIVPOL in a specific mission are made at the highest levels of the federal government based on consultations among the White House, Department of State, Department of Defense, and other agencies. The responsibility for managing U.S. CIVPOL and related issues rests with the Department of State.

The United States and CIVPOL

The United States participated in its first CIVPOL operation in 1994 in Haiti. The United States led the multinational military intervention to restore the elected government of Haiti and sponsored a 20-country International Police Monitor (IPM) mission to help provide public security, maintain the rule of law, and establish a new Haitian National Police Service. The IPM mission transitioned to the UN in March 1995.

CIVPOL have become a vital tool of U.S. foreign policy. Only 50 American police participated in the Haiti CIVPOL mission in 1994. Since then, over 4,000 experienced U.S. police officers and law enforcement experts have participated in CIVPOL missions in Bosnia-Herzegovina (1996-2002); the Eastern Slavonia region of Croatia (1996-2003); Jericho (2002); Palestinian Authority (2003); Sierra Leone (2003-2004); East Timor (1999-2005); OSCE Head Quarters in Vienna (2002-2004); Haiti (1996-2000; 2004-present); Kosovo (1999-present); Serbia & Montenegro (2001-present); Macedonia (2002-present); Afghanistan (2002-present); Iraq (2003-present); and Liberia (2003-present).

Currently, more than 1,000 American officers are deployed to CIVPOL missions. This dramatic climb in U.S. participation in CIVPOL missions reflects the U.S. Government’s recognition of its importance to peacekeeping missions in the post-cold war world. While international military forces often are necessary to restore a secure environment following a major conflict, they generally are not, in themselves, sufficient for the long-term reestablishment of civil order where local institutions have broken down. CIVPOL not only assist international military forces in the short term by addressing civilian law enforcement matters, but also help to develop the local democratic policing institutions that ultimately will be responsible for all law and order functions once the military and CIVPOL depart. (from U.S. State Dept)

Before you go on a Police Mission...

We would like to prepare the potential civilian police (CivPol) officer before going on a mission.  One of the most important things to be informed of is the Longshore Defense Base Act.  It is the way police officers serving in over seas missions has protection.  It is the main "insurance" that cover you in case of injury, disability or death.  Some companies offer additional health plans and insurance.  This act though, is your main protection for serious injuries suffered while on a misson.  Many companies, for some reason, do not go over this act at all, and some barely mention it. Bookmark this page and you can have access to this information later on.

Passport Issues

Before you go on a Police Mission you will need to have a passport.  The State Department Guidelines are: