Anarchy in the Streets: Restoring Public Security in Complex Contingencies
Abstract
When US military forces are performing public security functions during complex contingency operations, what conditions must they establish in order to transfer those functions successfully back to the host nation? In several recent complex contingency operations the intervening military force had to maintain minimum essential public order because the host nation capabilities were either overwhelmed by the magnitude of disorder, or because corrupt, repressive military and police were removed by the intervention. As the host nation public security capability is reinforced or rebuilt, military and political leaders must determine when conditions permit the transfer of public security functions from combat forces to military or international police and finally to the host nation public security forces. Indeed, the possible requirement to restructure the host nation public security forces may become an essential element of the intervention strategy, and would involve both military and civilian agencies. This paper proposes objective conditions to guide joint task force commanders, country teams, and interagency planners in making those transfer decisions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA353556
Entities
People
- Alfred C. Faber Jr.
- D. A. Schneegas
- James M. Castle
Organizations
- United States Army War College