The inherent limits of military forces in policing peace operations

Abstract

The military are not used for policing in peacekeeping as often as is commonly assumed, and many of the problems associated with their use derive from the fact that the term policing is used in a broad descriptive sense without defining what is meant. In practice military forces, especially those of the British Army, are used for a range of tasks that is far more limited than is often assumed. As a consequence, the problems posed by the use of the military in policing are less fundamental than many observers believe at present. It is probable that their resolution is dependent on the development of effective functional relationships between military and CIVPOL forces, rather than on shifts in remit or resources.