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Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations's message 2026

Protecting Against Vulnerability: Building Trust and Legitimacy in Policing

Trust is the cornerstone of effective policing ¨C whether at the national, regional, or international level. Communities are more likely to cooperate with law enforcement institutions when they believe they will be treated fairly, protected effectively and respected equally under the law. As we mark the annual International Day of Police Cooperation, we are reminded that trust and legitimacy are not abstract principles. They are essential foundations for protecting people and strengthening peace, security and justice.

This year's theme ¨C "Protecting Against Vulnerability: Building Trust and Legitimacy in Policing" ¨C highlights the challenges faced by those most vulnerable to crime and insecurity. People in situations of vulnerability, including women and children, particularly girls, as well as refugees, migrants, displaced persons and other marginalized communities, face heightened risks of trafficking and smuggling, exploitation, gender-based violence and other forms of transnational organized crime. As these threats increasingly cross borders, protecting vulnerable populations requires police services to share information, coordinate responses and cooperate internationally.

United Nations Police play a critical role in supporting Member States to strengthen policing institutions that are effective, accountable and responsive to the needs of all communities. In peacekeeping settings, UN Police work alongside national counterparts to enhance public safety, support the rule of law and help build institutions capable of protecting civilians and preventing violence. These efforts are most successful when they are grounded in professionalism, integrity and respect for human rights. Trust cannot be imposed; it must be earned through consistent and principled action.

International police cooperation is equally indispensable. Criminal networks increasingly exploit instability, displacement, technological change and weak governance structures. No single institution, country or organization can meet these challenges alone. Through information sharing, operational coordination, capacity-building and technical assistance, international cooperation enables law enforcement agencies to identify threats, assist victims and disrupt criminal activity more effectively. This includes investing in joint cyber-capabilities to protect digital spaces where vulnerable populations are increasingly targeted. Collaboration among the United Nations, INTERPOL, regional organizations and Member States remains essential to this collective effort.

At a time when confidence in public institutions is under strain in many parts of the world, policing institutions face a dual responsibility: to protect communities from harm and to demonstrate fairness, accountability and transparency in the exercise of their authority. Victim-centred, community-oriented and gender-responsive approaches are not only consistent with international standards; they also strengthen public confidence and improve operational effectiveness. Building legitimacy and protecting vulnerable populations are therefore mutually reinforcing objectives.

As we observe the 2026 International Day of Police Cooperation, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing a coherent and coordinated approach to policing across the United Nations system and with our international partners. I call on Member States and international partners to deepen their police cooperation, invest in professional and accountable policing institutions, and place the protection of vulnerable people at the centre of their efforts. By doing so, we can better protect those most at risk, sstrengthen public confidence in policing institutions, and ensure that policing remains a force for peace, security and justice.

Jean-Pierre Fran?ois Renaud Lacroix

Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's message 2026

On the International Day of Police Cooperation, we laud the critical role of police officers in their public service: protecting communities, upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all people can access safety and justice. Effective policing is built on trust and legitimacy, both of which are drawn from police conduct that is fair, accountable and respectful of human dignity.

People-centered and inclusive policing, grounded in the United Nations standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice, is essential to ensuring that all individuals targeted or disproportionately affected by crime and violence can seek protection and justice without barriers.

By strengthening community engagement, adopting evidence-based investigative methodologies and responding to the needs of those most at risk, police services foster confidence and enhance public safety.

UNODC remains committed to supporting Member States through technical assistance, training and policy guidance to strengthen professional, accountable and community-oriented policing.

By promoting integrity, inclusiveness, supporting independent oversight and accessible complaint mechanisms, strengthening investigative interviewing practices and international cooperation, UNODC helps police services build trust with communities, enhance investigations and better protect people.

Together, we can strengthen public trust, uphold the rights of those most at risk, and foster safer, just and more resilient societies.

Monica Juma

United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute's Statements 2026

Protecting those most vulnerable is one of the clearest measures of effective policing. Yet this cannot be achieved through operational policing capacities alone. It depends on public trust, institutional legitimacy and international cooperation. At UNICRI, we work to identify what enables policing to better protect vulnerable populations and translate those insights into practical assistance, helping Member States build policing institutions that are effective, accountable and trusted by the communities they serve. Safer societies are built on trusted policing.

Leif Villadsen, Acting Director of UNICRI

Acting Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism Alexandre Zouev's Message 2026

On this International Day of Police Cooperation, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) recognizes the indispensable role of law enforcement in preventing and countering terrorism and keeping communities safe.

Terrorism knows no borders. No country can confront this threat alone. Effective responses depend on international cooperation, coordinated action and information-sharing,  always grounded in international law, human rights and the rule of law.

This year¡¯s theme, ¡°Protecting against Vulnerability ¨C Building Trust and Legitimacy in Policing¡±, highlights a fundamental truth: policing effectiveness depends not only on operational capability, but also on the trust and confidence of the communities that law enforcement institutions serve. This trust matters especially for those in vulnerable situations, including children, migrants and displaced persons, who may face greater risks or barriers to reporting threats and seeking protection. By recognizing the distinct experiences and security concerns of women, men, girls and boys, law enforcement can better serve all members of society.

From my prior experience leading the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions, I have seen that professional, accountable and trusted police institutions are best equipped to prevent threats and strengthen community resilience. The same is true in preventing and countering terrorism. When people have confidence in law enforcement and public institutions, they are more likely to cooperate with authorities and share information that can help prevent terrorism. Rights-based and community-oriented policing also helps ensure that security measures do not deepen marginalization or vulnerability.

UNOCT works with Member States, United Nations partners and INTERPOL to advance human rights-compliant, gender-responsive and victim-centred counter-terrorism policing. Through capacity-building and technical assistance, we support law enforcement agencies in strengthening investigative and analytical capabilities, counter the financing of terrorism, adopting new technologies with appropriate safeguards, and enhance international information-sharing and cross-border cooperation. We also promote women¡¯s meaningful participation and leadership in law enforcement and prevention efforts.

Today, we honour law enforcement professionals who serve their communities with dedication and courage. UNOCT will continue working with Member States to build policing institutions that protect the vulnerable, earn public trust and contribute to our shared goal: a Future Without Terrorism.

Alexandre Zouev

Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate's Message 2026

On the International Day of Police Cooperation, we recognize the vital role of effective, accountable and people-centred policing in safeguarding communities and addressing increasingly complex transnational threats.

As vulnerability is increasingly shaped by conflict, displacement, organized crime, terrorism and the misuse of emerging technologies, strengthening public trust and legitimacy in policing has never been more important. Effective security responses must ensure that all people, particularly those in vulnerable situations, can engage with law enforcement institutions with confidence, fairness and dignity.

The International Day of Police Cooperation reminds us that no State can confront today's security challenges alone.

Strong partnerships, timely information-sharing, effective inter-agency coordination, and collaboration across borders are indispensable to preventing and responding to terrorism, transnational organized crime, and other evolving threats.

As part of its mandate, CTED conducts assessments of Member States' implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions

including their frameworks for law enforcement cooperation, information-sharing, border security, and counter-terrorism investigations, while emphasizing compliance with international human rights law, refugee law, and humanitarian law.

The United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) remains committed to supporting Member States and United Nations partners in strengthening law enforcement capacities, fostering cooperation, and promoting policing approaches that uphold human rights, reinforce public trust, and contribute to lasting peace and security.

Natalia Gherman