LocationsOn the International Day of Police Cooperation, exploring how people-centred policing strengthens security, rights and the social contract
Trust at the heart of policing
September 7, 2026
In Tunisia, UNDP supports the Ministry of Interior in providing people-centred security services.
Photo: UNDP Tunisia/Ala Zemzmi
How can we tell whether policing is professional, effective and truly serving the people? One simple question covers it all. What does an ordinary person feel when they see a police officer in the street? Fear or suspicion points to a weak bond between the state and society. Reassurance and trust signal that people see institutions as legitimate and accountable. Amid crisis and fragility, trust is not a soft outcome. It is a foundation for recovery, peace and development.
Trust works both ways. It encourages people to come forward when they need help, talk about risks and work together with the police to address local challenges. In parallel, this confidence empowers communities to navigate uncertainty and rebuild after crises.
Building trust starts with making police services more accessible, responsive and present in people’s daily lives. It grows when people see the police as partners who listen, protect and respond when help is needed.
In Iraq, public satisfaction with police services nearly doubled compared to 2020 baselines (80 percent in 2024 compared to 41 percent in 2020), as the country moved towards more accountable, coordinated and people-centred security. At the same time, a digital criminal records system was rolled out to about 85 percent of police stations across the country, enhancing the investigative capacities.
At Al-Saydiya police station in Baghdad, a man arrived expecting the familiar wait, while a police officer searched a paper archive. His file appeared on screen instead. “I thought I would spend hours at the station, but I finished my transaction in one minute,” said Ahmed Saad.
In Burkina Faso, where long distances and limited public transport hinder access to security services, UNDP supported the construction of police stations in remote areas and strengthened patrol mobility and response times. In the town of Boromo, residents can access potable water at police facilities, showing how police stations can become trusted service hubs.
Acute crises and sensitive political transitions test the legitimacy of policing. When insecurity rises and institutions are under pressure, police services become first line of protection.
In Sudan, we supported the police in enhancing survivor‑centred and trauma‑informed investigations of gender-based violence. Respecting survivors’ dignity is critical for trust that will pave the way to justice and institutional legitimacy.
In Bangladesh, UNDP facilitated nationwide consultations with communities, youth, civil society and police leadership informing an inclusive dialogue on accountability, legislative reform and digital transformation.
"Building trust starts with making police services more accessible, responsive and present in people’s daily lives."
Community policing is one of the most practical ways to rebuild trust. By creating regular spaces for dialogue and joint problem-solving, police can better understand people’s real security concerns and respond with solutions shaped by the community itself. Through community security, people become partners in prevention, early warning and local peacebuilding.
Leadership of women, youth and displaced people is key in fragile contexts, where trust in public institutions depends on whether diverse communities feel heard, protected and represented. In South Sudan, police and communities improve safety together though more than 250 police-community relationship committees, including 38 led by women.
In Tunisia, community policing has evolved from pilot practice to national policy, supported by 19 Local Security Committees, as well as a stronger legal and institutional framework.
Respect for and protection of human rights are central to legitimate policing. This requires oversight and early warning systems that help identify patterns of violations and address tensions before they escalate. In Nigeria, UNDP facilitated coordination between the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Nigeria Police Force. Through its groundbreaking National Human Rights Observatory, the NHRC collects and analyses data on violations, identifying patterns to address root causes and generate early warning signals.
As many forms of violence move online, people should have confidence that police can protect them also from digital threats, including technology-facilitated gender-based violence. And in ways that are survivor-centred, accountable and rights-based.
Through UNDP’s Global Programme on Rule of Law, Human Rights and Justice for Peace, Security and Development, across 16 countries, UNDP and the Korean National Police Agency share expertise and improve institutional capacity to strengthen law enforcement responses to these challenges and protect survivors. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the establishment of a dedicated Sector for Combatting Terrorism and Computer Crime strengthened the police capacity to address digital threats. In Mexico, a national roadmap to address gender-based violence was designed while enhanced digital monitoring tools helped strengthen prevention, analysis and coordinated action.
Ultimately, our ambition is that more people experience policing with reassurance rather than fear. A woman reporting violence should be heard and protected. Youth should see the police as a partner. Families rebuilding after crisis should feel protected as they return home. Achieving this requires people-centred and rights-based approaches, women's participation, innovation and strong partnerships – all of which help police earn trust and contribute to lasting peace and sustainable development.
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