Commonwealth Manual on Human Rights Training for Police Training

Police Training Manual (large file 5.61mb)

United in their diversity, all 53 members of the Commonwealth hold certain principles in common. In upholding these and in pursuing the ideals on which the

Commonwealth is based - ideals of peaceful and stable, just and equitable, and prosperous societies - the importance of observing the rule of law cannot be overstated. In serving and protecting their communities, police and law enforcement officials play a vital role. They are duty-bound to enforce the law. However, the manner in which such officials carry out their duties in the community contributes to the sort of societal conditions in which human and economic development and flourishing is possible.

Human rights training for police trainers is one of most effective ways the Commonwealth Secretariat, through the Human Rights Unit, offers practical assistance to Commonwealth governments in promoting understanding of and respect for human rights. The initial and ongoing training of police officers is the correct place at which to instil an approach to community policing that is grounded in sound knowledge of law and procedure, the limits on powers, and respect for the basic rights of individuals.

I therefore welcome this Manual and commend it for use in training institutions across the Commonwealth. It is based on an earlier resource developed for the West Africa region. I would commend the efforts of those police officers in Commonwealth West African countries whose experience contributed to the pilot publication that Commonwealth Secretary General Rt. Hon Don McKinnon launched in London in December 2005, to mark the International Human Rights Day. This kind of sharing of best practice and comparative experience for the benefit of institutions in member countries is one of the core functions of the Commonwealth Secretariat. It is also proper, in my view, that this revised publication addresses the place of human rights in training of prisons officers.

I believe that this practical and useful publication will be of help to police and prisons training institutions in Commonwealth countries in building knowledge of and respect for fundamental human rights into their training programmes, and so into the practices of their agencies. I am confident that our Human Rights Unit stands ready to assist in this process.

Florence Mugasha
Marlborough House
London

June 2006