Convergence: Special Operations Forces and Civilian Law Enforcement
Abstract
John B. Alexander's monograph about the convergence of Special Operations Forces (SOF) and civilian law enforcement activities is timely considering the U.S. Government's revamped strategies to promote more capable and effective governments and improve security in southwest Asia. The strategic concept includes fully resourcing security training for military and police forces. U.S. strategic objectives envision two outcomes: a) governments that can provide effective internal security with limited international support and b) military and police security forces that can lead the counterinsurgency and counterterrorism fight with reduced U.S. assistance. If Dr. Alexander's thesis is correct--that adequate training is needed for SOF to conduct missions involving police-like activities--other nations' security forces also will require much the same training in order to effectively provide for their countries' internal security and deal effectively with the challenges of combating terrorism and insurgency. Dr. Alexander asserts that success in southwest Asia will hinge, in part, upon U.S. and host-nation military operations that effectively incorporate some police-type tasks (e.g., gathering and securing evidence) and law enforcement operations by police units that require military-like support (e.g., armored protection and heavy weapons). This monograph invites us to consider another dimension of the convergence of police and military activities. Police and Rule of Law, the United Nations Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions, and the CIVPOL program of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA526456
Entities
People
- John B. Alexander
Organizations
- Joint Special Operations University