As part of DCAF’s newly launched Evidence-Based Learning Series, this report examines strategies to combat corruption and strengthen integrity in law enforcement within the broader SSG/R framework. It combines conceptual knowledge with practical insights from five SSG/R programmes, offering evidence-based guidance for policy and programming.

Effective interventions require a well-coordinated, comprehensive strategy that prioritizes key reforms and sequences them in a manner that ensures coherence and long-term impact

Drawing on academic and policy literature, the report defines law enforcement corruption as any abuse of law or trust for personal gain, including extortion, embezzlement, abuse of power, favoritism, and fraud. It highlights key drivers such as low pay, weak recruitment and training, poor internal accountability, permissive organisational cultures, and limited oversight.

To address these challenges, the report features five critical interventions:

1. Assessing corruption vulnerabilities and risks to identify systemic weaknesses.
2. Strengthening codes of ethics and conduct to establish professional standards.
3. Enhancing internal investigations to improve accountability.
4. Improving human resource management (HRM) through transparent recruitment and career development.
5. Strengthening financial management and oversight (FMO) to prevent fraud and misallocation.

By reviewing SSG/R interventions, the report identifies key lessons:

• Senior leadership commitment is crucial for the success and sustainability of reforms, especially when interventions require financial and institutional support.
• A systems approach is essential, as reforms in HRM and FMO must align with broader public sector governance frameworks.
• Institution-building efforts must be part of broader governance reforms, including judicial independence, public procurement improvements, and civil society oversight.
• A comprehensive, well-coordinated approach to various interventions can prevent fragmented efforts.
• Context-specific adaptation is necessary—while international standards provide guidance, interventions must align with local institutional and socio-cultural norms.
• Whistleblower protection mechanisms are vital for ensuring internal accountability and safeguarding those who expose misconduct.
• Measuring impact takes time, as institutional change and behavioural shifts do not yield immediate results.

Readers will gain further insights into the complexities of corruption control, the importance of systemic approaches, and the challenges of implementing and measuring anti-corruption efforts in law enforcement. This report is useful for those seeking to strengthen integrity, accountability, and governance in security institutions.