Resources

October 2003 | United Nations

The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) is a multilateral convention negotiated by members of the United Nations.

It is the first global legally binding international anti-corruption instrument.In its 71 Articles divided into 8 Chapters, UNCAC requires that States Parties implement several anti-corruption measures which may affect their laws, institutions and practices.

These measures aim at preventing corruption, including domestic and foreign bribery, embezzlement, trading in influence and money laundering.

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November 1998 | Council of Europe

The Criminal Law Convention on Corruption is an ambitious instrument aiming at the co-ordinated criminalisation of a large number of corrupt practices.

It also provides for complementary criminal law measures and for improved international co-operation in the prosecution of corruption offences. The Convention is open to the accession of non-member States.

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May 2008 | Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)

The Guidebook articulates the objectives of democratic police services and forces; the importance of their commitment to the rule of law, policing ethics, and human rights standards; the essential nature of police accountability to the law and to the society they serve; as well as the need for their co-operation with the communities, recognizing that effective policing requires partnership with the communities being served.

The Guidebook elaborates on structural and managerial aspects within the police which are considered necessary to achieve and sustain democratic policing.

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December 1979 | United Nations 

The code of conduct covers the accountability of law enforcement officials, through their representation and response to the whole community. The code was first introduced in 1979 and supplemented a decade later. It is the overarching standard for global policing.

These rules apply to all law enforcement officials, including police and military personnel employed in a law enforcement capacity (e.g. crowd control). Article 3 includes restrictions on the use of firearms. The Code was approved by the UN General Assembly in 1979.

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September 2001 | Council of Europe

The European Code of Police Ethics enshrines the basic principles that should apply to police services in democratic societies governed by the rule of law. It is more than a traditional code of ethics, it provides a general organisational framework for the police, their place in the criminal justice system, their objectives, performance and accountability.

Some parts of the text are intended to serve as model provisions for national legislation and codes of conduct as well as principles for ethical policing.

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September 2001 | INTERPOL 

These codes and protocols are intended to promote and strengthen measures to prevent, detect, punish and eradicate corruption in the police forces/services within its national boundaries and to help bring to justice police officers and other employees of police forces/services who are corrupt.

Main objective of the resolution is to ensure that the police have high standards of honesty, integrity and ethical behaviour in and in connection with the performance of their policing functions.

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May 2002 | Vera Institute of Justice 

This paper looks at the English language research on civilian oversight. Inevitably, this literature is focused primarily on English speaking countries, notably the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, in which the development of civilian oversight is a somewhat recent phenomenon.

This paper aims to consider the value of civilian oversight; describe different types of oversight; highlight obstacles and opportunities in establishing oversight; identify the characteristics of successful oversight.

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November 1997 | Council of Europe

The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers agrees on twenty guiding principles to fight corruption. The Resolution also aims to promote a dynamic process for effectively preventing and combating corruption.

Guiding principles include raising public awareness, improving investigation and prosecution procedures, promoting specialization of persons or bodies in charge of fighting corruption as well as increasing international cooperation.

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November 2011 | European Partners against Corruption

These principles and standards are intended to be aspirational rather than legally binding on organisations. They recognise that there are many different approaches across the world and are thus intended to be responsive to the legal and policy frameworks in place in individual countries and organisations.

At the same time, they are based upon our common understanding and our recommendation that these principles and standards may ultimately be supported by our legal systems.

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November 2011 | European Partners against Corruption

The Police Oversight Principles are intended for bodies with police oversight competences and not necessarily for members of the judiciary. They are designed to promote accountable policing systems which take human rights and the rule of law into highest account; a model of effective police oversight that organizations and governments can aspire to.

These principles and standards are intended to be aspirational rather than legally binding on organisations. They recognise that there are many different approaches across the world and are thus intended to be responsive to the legal and policy frameworks in place in individual countries and organisations.

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July 2011 | United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

The present Handbook is one of the practical tools developed by UNODC to support countries in the implementation of the rule of law and the development of criminal justice reform. It aims to assist countries in their efforts to develop effective systems of oversight and accountability within their law enforcement authorities and enhance police integrity.

The intended users of the present Handbook are policymakers and those working at the strategic or management level in police agencies. Parliamentarians and civil society organizations engaged in activities related to improving police accountability, integrity and civilian police oversight may also find it useful.

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May 2006 | United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

The present Toolkit is one of the practical tools developed by UNODC to conduct comprehensive assessments of integrity and accountability of the police; to identify areas of technical assistance; to assist agencies in the design of interventions that integrate United Nations standards and norms on corruption prevention; and to assist in training on these issues.

The Toolkit is a practical guide intended for use by those charged at the strategic or management level in police agencies. Parliamentarians and civil society organizations engaged in activities related to improving police accountability, integrity and civilian police oversight may also find it useful.

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October 2012 | Geneva Centre for Democratic Control of Armed Forces

The Toolkit aims to assist police services in designing effective measures to curb police corruption, increasing their ability to fight crime, improving public security and strengthening the rule of law and public trust in the police.

The Toolkit can be used in post-conflict countries, transition countries and developed countries. The intended users of the Toolkit are policymakers and those working at the strategic or management level in police services or internal control departments. Parliamentarians and civil society organizations may also find it useful.

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