About this SSR Backgrounder

This SSR Backgrounder is about applying the principles of good security sector governance (SSG) to policing through police reform. The police are the primary state security provider responsible for protecting people and property through public assistance, law enforcement, the maintenance of peaceful public order, and the identification and prevention of crime. The goal of police reform is to ensure that policing becomes more effective, more accountable and more responsive to the needs of all members of society within a framework of democratic security sector governance.

This SSR Backgrounder answers the following questions:

• What is police reform?
• Why is police reform necessary?
• Is there a model for police reform?
• How are police reforms carried out?
• How is gender equality part of police reform?