Security Forces Research Articles

A UTILIZAÇÃO DE INSTRUMENTOS DE MENOR POTENCIAL OFENSIVO EM POLICIAMENTO DE EVENTOS FUTEBOLÍSTICOS

ABSTRACT Policing football events is a major challenge for security forces, both in Brazil and around the world, due to the large number of fans and the potential for riots. Police action must be efficient and proportional, guaranteeing the safety of fans and public order, respecting fundamental rights. In this context, Instruments of Lower Offensive Potential (IMPO) are a strategic solution, allowing the control of disturbances without causing permanent damage. The use of IMPOs is essential for maintaining order, but requires specialized training and respect for protocols to minimize risks. The article analyzes the effectiveness and limitations of these instruments, discusses the challenges faced by security forces and suggests strategies to improve agent training. IMPOs include indoor explosive grenades, controlled impact munitions, chemical spreaders and electro-electronic weapons, each with specific applications and usage guidelines. After using IMPOs, it is crucial to carry out procedures such as helping the injured, detaining offenders, checking the materials used and providing feedback on the operation. The study concludes that the appropriate use of IMPOs can be effective in restoring public order, as long as established standards and techniques are respected. Recommendations for public policies and operational improvements are presented, aiming for safer and more efficient policing at sporting events. Keywords: Policing of football events, security forces, fans, riots, Instruments of Minor Offensive Potential (IMPO), indoor explosive grenades, controlled impact munitions, chemical sprayers, electro-electronic weapons, procedures.

Healthcare workers’ perspectives on trauma and mental health access for Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar

BackgroundIn August 2017, the Rohingya population of northern Rakhine State in Myanmar fled to Bangladesh following “clearance operations” by the Myanmar security forces that were characterized by widespread and systematic violence, constituting severe human rights violations. The “clearance operations” were preceded by years of consistent denial of the human rights of the Rohingya people in Myanmar. This study examines the impact of these human rights violations on the trauma experiences of Rohingya survivors, their resulting mental health, and the availability and access to post-migration mental health services.MethodsQualitative one-on-one interviews were conducted with 26 health care professionals who cared for Rohingya refugees after their arrival in Bangladesh.ResultsTrauma experienced by the Rohingya spanned the period before, during, and following migration and was ongoing at the time of data collection. The impact of Rohingya survivors’ concurrent grief and trauma in relation to the violence they experienced in Myanmar as well as during and after their journey to Bangladesh that, at times, exacerbated survivors’ trauma presentation. There were limited mental health services available in Bangladesh and additional structural and procedural barriers to care that limited responsiveness to Rohingya survivors’ mental health needs.ConclusionThe Rohingya experienced traumatic human rights violations in Myanmar that led to their forced migration to Bangladesh. The Rohingya continued to experience trauma during their forced migration to Bangladesh and were exposed to additional stressors in the post-migration settings in refugee camps, including lack of access to adequate mental health services. These experiences have resulted in a spectrum of stress-and trauma-related symptoms. These findings show the mental health impact of protracted human rights violations on the Rohingya, revealing how trauma is not a singular event but a continuous experience. Detailing the limited mental health infrastructure and structural barriers facing Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, the findings underscore the urgent need for trauma-informed interventions that address the complex psychological consequences of systemic violence and displacement. The findings emphasize the critical importance of holistic mental health support in refugee settings, providing evidence-based recommendations for the public health and humanitarian sector to consider when designing programs to address the mental health and psychosocial support needs of sexual violence survivors living in conditions of displacement.

Restoring trust in Mexico’s police: do officer gender and work experience matter?

ABSTRACT How can public confidence in the police be restored in high-crime environments? What type of police officers would citizens in violent democracies see as trusted? This paper examines how the gender and the occupational background of police officers affect citizens’ perceptions of effectiveness and misconduct of the local police. The focus is on Mexico, a country where military officers have taken over policing functions. Using an online survey experiment, we find that female officers improve perceptions of police effectiveness and reduce perceptions of police misconduct. The effects of female officers on both police effectiveness and misconduct are moreover independent of the occupational (military) background of officers and are stronger for those to whom the state has failed – those who have experienced crime, are fearful thereof or have been exposed to police corruption and abuse. Recruiting more female officers can do more than militarisation for building a trusted security force in Mexico.

Mujeres trans: Violencia, migración y salud mental

Trans women in El Salvador face significant risks and social disadvantages due to violence, exclusion, and discrimination. They often experience harassment, threats, and stalking from various actors, including family members, community members, gangs, and security forces. Due to their gender identity, the violence they experience can lead to forced displacement or migration. This qualitative and phenomenological study aims to analyze the conditions of vulnerability that trans women experience throughout their lives and the conditions in which their experience of forced displacement occurs. The study takes a gender, psychosocial, and intersectional approach to ensure a comprehensive analysis of the subject matter. Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives of human rights organizations/institutions or those supporting victims of forced displacement and/or the LGBTIQ+ population. Additionally, five semi-structured interviews were conducted with trans women who were in a situation of forced displacement. The results indicate that trans women face systematic violations of their rights and experience multiple forms of violence throughout their lives, across various areas of their development. Forced displacement often occurs in situations of deep risk, which can have a significant impact on social relationships and development opportunities. This, in turn, can negatively affect physical, sexual, and mental health. In facing the crisis, trans women rely on personal resources and coping mechanisms, as well as support from organizations. However, a comprehensive and specific identity law is necessary to protect their rights and safeguard their lives and integrity in situations of forced migration. This would strengthen their support network and facilitate their social reintegration, with access to legal, psychosocial, and health support free from stigma and discrimination.

PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANIES AND SECURITY PROVISIONING IN NIGERIA: LESSONS FROM OTHER CLIMES

Insecurity in the form of terrorism, kidnapping for ransom, armed banditry, cattle rustling, armed robbery, murder, rape and other violent crimes are on the increase in Nigeria in spite of government efforts to contain them. There is no gainsaying that government forces are seemingly incapacitated to tackle the upsurge of insecurity across the country as terrorists, kidnappers and armed bandits specifically operate with impunity openly as if government security forces are non-existent. Although, insecurity is a global social problem, Nigerian situation is becoming overwhelming, thereby necessitating the proliferation of private security companies into the security arena to lend support to government security force efforts. Since their emergence into the security architecture, private security companies (PSCs) are creating great impact in security provisioning across the globe thereby complementing the efforts of government law enforcement agencies. In Nigeria, they have made great inroads in security provision such that their presence is felt in all nooks and crannies of the country. This paper examined PSCs and security provisioning in Nigeria with reference to lessons from other climes. The paper utilized exploratory analysis relying largely on qualitative content analysis from secondary sources of data collection through journal articles, books, periodicals, news prints and internet materials. The situational crime prevention and problem-oriented policing theories were used as theoretical framework. The paper showed that private security companies in Nigeria have contributed immensely to checkmating crimes in their areas of operations but lack global relevance as their activities are limited to Nigeria since they are not allowed to bear firearms. PSCs in Nigeria are overburdened with regulations that dwarf their operations cum lacking legislative recognition as components of the national security architecture. The paper underscored the global relevance of private security companies and their emergence and proliferation in Nigeria and concludes that PSCs in Nigeria, though very crucial in security provisioning need to be properly positioned for relevance in the global security market. The paper recommends among others, that relevant legislations should be enacted to allow PSCs in Nigeria bear firearms to enable them participate fully in security provisioning while intra-inter agency collaboration and networking is necessary to strengthen the private security sub sector. This is in addition to allowing PSCs to participate in private detection and prosecution in Nigeria.

‘All the Heroes are Dead:’ U.S. Covert Operations in Ukraine, 1949-1953

ABSTRACT Between 1949 and 1953, the CIA’s Munich operations base airdropped 12 agents into Western Ukraine with instructions to gather intelligence and assist the local partisan movement (Project AERODYNAMIC). Yet Soviet security forces captured or killed all but one of the intruders. Based on official records and the personal papers of the CIA officer in charge of the project, this article discusses AERODYNAMIC’s historical background and reviews the agents’ recruitment, training, and deployment. The project failed, the article argues, due to a lack of strategic planning, ill-defined American policy toward the USSR, and the reckless operational culture of the CIA in Germany. In the absence of a meaningful after-action review, few lessons were learned, and the agency continued to conduct flawed covert operations for several years, culminating in the ill-fated Bay of Pigs landing in 1961.

The Role of Partnerships in Supporting COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Migrants: A Qualitative Case Study from Tamil Nadu and Punjab, India.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, migrant populations remained under-immunized due to limited access to health care, language barriers, and vaccine hesitancy. The USAID-funded MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity project supported the government in collaborating with various local health and non-health partners to identify and vaccinate migrants. This case study examines the roles of project partners and the strategies each entity implemented to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake among migrants, as well as the perceptions regarding the effectiveness of these strategies. We designed a qualitative explanatory case study guided by the Behavioral and Social Drivers framework and RE-AIM implementation science frameworks. We conducted 31 focus group discussions and 50 in-depth interviews with migrants, project partners, community leaders, and government stakeholders in Tamil Nadu and Punjab. In both states, partnerships with health departments, private employers, and community-based organizations were essential for identifying and vaccinating un- and under-vaccinated migrant groups. In Tamil Nadu, collaboration with the Department of Labor and mobile medical units facilitated vaccination camps at construction sites. In Punjab, religious institutions organized sessions at places of worship, and the Border Security Force enabled health workers to reach migrants living near the border. In both states, key strategies-involving influencers to discuss the importance of vaccine safety and value, bringing vaccination services to migrants' workplaces and homes at flexible times and mandating workplace vaccination to encourage vaccination-shifted perceptions towards vaccination and increased vaccine uptake among migrants. The strategies and partnerships identified in this study highlight the broader implications for future public health interventions, demonstrating that collaboration with the private sector and faith-based organizations can enhance routine immunization efforts, particularly when localized to organizations that understand community needs and can address specific barriers and motivators.

Use of drones in Indo‐Pak cross border terrorism: Challenges, regulations and evolving responses

AbstractThe proliferation of drones to states and non‐state actors has created newer challenges for national security & border management. Globally, drones are being used by security forces as force multipliers in military operations, while non‐state actors are employing drones for carrying out terror strikes, smuggling arms, narcotics, and by citizen journalists and other groups for disseminating information on government crackdown on public protests. The paper traces the increasing usage of drones in India, especially since 2019, while also analyzing the multifarious challenges faced by Indian security forces and law enforcement agencies from the use of drones by non‐state actors. It analyses the rules and regulations that have been put in place in India to manage the spread of UAS/drones in the country while not stifling the domestic manufacturing. Finally, the paper explores the possible systems that have been explored by India and other countries to counter UAS/drones and the challenges posed in effectively countering drones in border regions.

Present Scenario of Extra Judicial Killing in India-Bangladesh Border: A Legal Analysis of Human Rights Perspective

The Indian Border Security Forces are killing Bangladeshi nationals on the border indiscriminately by violating international norms, treaties and agreements, which are gross human rights violations. Every state of the civilized world seriously maintains the standard of human rights and respect the international law. However, human rights have been violated by the Border Security Force (BSF) with immunity in the Bangladesh border by torturing, killing and abducting. Though India claims Bangladesh as a friendly state and several times assured not to kill Bangladeshi nationals in the border area, but they are continuously killing the Bangladeshi nationals. Even they do not feel regret and instead claim the reverse. The main objective of this research is to analyze the actual scenario on the Bangladesh border side from the perspective of international legal instruments. This is a qualitative research based on secondary data. This research recommends that the Bangladesh government should take proper actions to restrict human rights violations in the border area

HIRED GUNS IN SIERRA LEONE: MERCENARIES’ ENTHRALLING ROLE

This research focuses on the role of mercenaries in the Sierra Leone civil war. This gruesome event that lasted for more than a decade, represents a critical case study in understanding the multi-dimensional dynamics of privatized force participation in modern conflicts. The involvement of the Private Military Company (PMC) named Executive Outcomes had a significant impact on charting Sierra Leone’s conflict trajectory. Providers of typical mercenary services, they were contracted to counteract the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) insurgency, often filling gaps left by weak state security forces and insufficient international intervention. It can be claimed that mercenaries played an effective role in securing key fronts and defending essential assets in this particular conflict, but their involvement accentuates issues of long-term consequences for governance, international norms, and peacebuilding. Thus, this paper provides insights into the complexities of privatized warfare in fragile states and their implications for future conflict resolution paradigms.

NEW «PARASITIC CLASS»: ON THE CONCEPT OF MIKHAIL VOSLENSKY

The article explores the phenomenon of the nomenklatura as a unique socio-political institution in the context of democratic transformations within post-Soviet societies. An analysis of Mikhail Voslensky’s works reveals the mechanisms of nomenklatura functioning and aids in understanding the structural challenges of overcoming the totalitarian legacy. The core of the article focuses on a comparative analysis of Voslensky’s concept. Born in Ukraine, Voslensky had a successful career within the Soviet system before emigrating to West Germany in 1972. His seminal work, «Nomenklatura» (1980), presents a critical analysis of the revolutionary movement’s transformation into a new ruling class. Voslensky identifies the nomenklatura as a distinct class that uses a system of privileges to maintain its dominance and exert social control. He meticulously documents the institutional mechanisms of nomenklatura domination, uncovering the interplay between party hierarchy and material privileges. Particular attention is paid to the subordination of the security forces to party control through mechanisms of the Central Committee, which minimized risks to the nomenklatura system. The article includes a comparative analysis of Voslensky’s and Milovan Djilas’s approaches to the «new class» of socialist societies. Unlike Djilas, who believed in the potential of «true» communism, Voslensky fully breaks away from the system. He refutes the thesis about the nomenklatura’s modernizing role, pointing instead to the robust developmental dynamics of pre-revolutionary Russia. The study identifies limitations and shortcomings in Voslensky’s concept. Despite his profound analysis of the Soviet nomenklatura, Voslensky failed to recognize similar mechanisms of social stratification within Western democracies. His excessive idealization of the West hindered the application of his theory to a broader context of elite formation in various state systems. Additionally, Voslensky’s research, rooted primarily in personal experience, does not adequately explore the historical and cultural nature of the nomenklatura, its genesis, or potential analogs in other systems. Nonetheless, his theoretical contributions provide a valuable foundation for developing new models of democratic governance.

A formação da “pródiga filha alada” de Getúlio Vargas e suas primeiras façanhas em um conflito mundial (1941-1945)

The participation of the Brazilian Air Force in World War II left indelible marks on the Force organization. In 1941, it was composed of the naval and military aviations as major elements in its formation, which also had elements of the Sao Paulo Security Force in its constitution. It was a dramatic experience for its commissioned and non commissioned officers because they experienced a sudden change of employment and doctrine to meet the needs of the European conflict which, even in a situation of collapse, offered an insane and terrible resistance to its adversaries. This work presents the political circumstances of the Brazilian alignment to Allied Forces in the early 1940s, coinciding precisely with the creation of the Ministry of Aviation and its armed wing - the Brazilian Air Force. Thus we seek to resolve the lack of a historical non institutional military production which portrays our air fighters and their accomplishments not only in the Brazilian airspace but also in the South Atlantic and in Europe, besides knowing their employment and the elements that composed the heroic memory of the Force.

Frequency and use of defensive means in self-defence and extreme necessity in the Czechia and Slovakia

The use of firearms, their frequency, and legitimacy through self-defence and extreme necessity are socially relevant in Czechia and Slovakia. Legal firearm ownership for defence purposes impacts overall social security, influenced by factors like firearm legislation, cultural traditions, legal awareness, and violent crime rates. Understanding this issue requires considering subjective interpretations, even among security experts. This paper explores the theoretical foundations of self-defence and extreme necessity from criminal law, alongside practical implications supported by police statistics on violent crimes involving firearms in Czechia and Slovakia. It also includes a comparison with selected EU countries. The authors’ research uses a questionnaire to assess attitudes towards choosing defensive firearms, preparation for firearms licensure, and potential support for state security forces. The findings provide insights into legal firearm owners’ behaviours and attitudes toward defence and security. The study aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of firearm use for self-defence, correlating training, weapon preferences, and willingness to enhance state security.

Security, and gender: NATO’s advising program in Afghanistan

ABSTRACT This research critically questioned NATO’s security force advising in Afghanistan, focusing on the security notions promoted through its discourses and narratives, particularly regarding gender. Using NATO’s advising programme in Afghanistan 2016–2019 as a case study, a feminist poststructuralist framework analysed security narratives. Participant interviews, advising observations, and feminist critical discourse analysis of advising curriculum and Afghan National Army (ANA) doctrine supported this examination. Guided theory revealed contradictory themes that promoted gender and women’s empowerment and reinforced patriarchal dynamics. While NATO attempts to empower women through its programmes, it often reinforces patriarchal structures, negatively impacting women and men within NATO and the advised nation. NATO’s advising programmes and their gendered and hierarchical security notions can affect current and future conflicts. 1

ASPECTOS JURÍDICO-LEGAIS DA BUSCA PESSOAL AMPARADA NO PROCEDIMENTO OPERACIONAL PADRÃO (POP) DA POLÍCIA MILITAR DO ESTADO DE GOIÁS (PM-GO)

The work of the security forces is part of the context of guaranteeing and protecting the common good, which includes the actions of a police approach, seen as an instrument that contributes both to the promotion and maintenance of public order, as it is a form of preventive or repressive action in the scope of public safety. The objective of the study is to identify and discuss how PM-GO prepares and trains its military police to carry out ostensive and preventive policing and guides them to implement the correct police approach in personal search in line with legal and legal aspects which prescribe respect for citizens’ rights. For its elaboration, qualitative exploratory research was used based on bibliographic review based on journal articles, course completion papers such as graduation monographs, master’s dissertations and doctoral theses that deal with the police approach in its legal, procedural and technical. The results obtained in the research show that police power is inherent to the administrative activity that has the power to act on the conduct or situations of individuals or people who may, directly or indirectly, jeopardize the interests of the community, that is, the common good. The study also explains that reason-based reasons are a condition for carrying out the police approach, characteristics present in the individual that led the police officer to believe that there is an illegal and criminal situation. The article’s conclusions are that the police approach is a practice considered legitimate, supported by the constitutional text, ordinary laws and doctrinal notebooks and that the institute of personal search, used in the routine of the military, during ostensive patrolling, is covered with subjective criteria, imposing on the public agent to act with discretion, relying only on their personal experience.

Rwanda as Africa’s Rising Center of Power? Three Decades of Post-Genocide Development

In April 2024, Rwanda commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Tutsi genocide, which claimed the lives of almost 800 thousand people. The consequences of this tragedy still affect all aspects of the political and economic life of the country, including the relationship between representatives of its two largest peoples – the Tutsi and the Hutu, who strive, although not always successfully, to live in peace and harmony. The government of Paul Kagame is actively promoting the ideology of “Rwandanness”, i.e. blurring the lines between different ethnic groups, and pursues the policy of “national unity”, but selective repression carried out with impunity by security forces and the provision of special preferences to Tutsis in the areas of employment, education, etc. hinder the integration process. Largely due to Western assistance, the regime managed to achieve considerable success in the economic field, although inequality between different groups of the population persists, becoming an important conflict factor. While successfully ensuring its survival through total control, the Kagame regime simultaneously creates the preconditions for problems that future generations of Rwandans may have to face.

IMPROVEMENT IN OPPORTUNITIES/METHODOLOGY FOR ENHANCING THE PHYSICAL TRAINING OF CADETS FROM THE STATE BORDER GUARD COLLEGE

Purpose and aim of the study: is to develop and improve effective physical training methodologies for cadets of the National Security Service, which would meet the requirements of the service and improve their endurance, strength, speed and dexterity.The goal is to identify specific training techniques and programmes that would increase the physical and psychological preparedness of cadets for their service in the SBG, thereby promoting the professional competence of cadets and the quality of their service. Design / Methodology / Approach: a review of the literature; empirical methods; the experimental method; a method of observation and analysis.Main Findings: One of the main conclusions is that the physical training of State Border Guard employees is essential for the efficiency of professional activities and their health. Law enforcement officers require high levels of physical and psychological skills such as endurance, strength and speed to effectively perform their duties such as apprehension, pursuit and border enforcement. High-intensity training programmes help to improve these skills and allow them to withstand the intense physical and emotional stress required in stressful situations. A scientific approach to developing methodologies and researching different interval training protocols can ensure optimal training efficiency and cardio-metabolic health. Originality: unlike general physical training programmes, this study specifically adapts and optimizes training methodologies specifically for SBG cadets, taking into account the specifics of the service. Using modern sports science research and best practices, methodologies are developed that contribute to more effective and faster improvement in physical fitness. The research focuses on how customized programmes affect cadet motivation and achievement compared with standardized programmesImplications: Knowledge Transfer: The findings of this study can be shared with other security and law enforcement agencies to improve their training programmes.Long-Term Health Benefits: The emphasis on physical fitness and cardio-metabolic health can have long-term health benefits for SBG cadets, reducing their risk of developing chronic diseases and promoting overall well-being. Continuous Improvement: The study highlights the importance of ongoing research and analysis to continuously improve training methodologies and adapt them to the evolving needs of the SBG.By investing in the physical development of its cadets, the National Security Service can cultivate a highly capable and resilient security force that is better prepared to protect national security and serve the public effectively.

The Role of Transnational and Subregional Crisis Management in Crisis Management

The article focuses on the analysis of the role of transnational and subregional crisis management in the field of security in crisis management. With the increasing threats such as natural disasters, terrorism, pandemics, and military conflicts, it is essential to coordinate the activities of security forces at both regional and international levels. The paper examines the structure and functioning of crisis management within transnational organizations (eg, the EU, the UN) and subregional collaborations, which play a key role in preventing and addressing crises. It also explores the coordination between individual member states, their crisis teams, and other actors, such as non-governmental organizations and the private sector. The conclusion discusses the effectiveness of these collaborations and offers recommendations for improving crisis management in the field of security in the context of global and regional challenges.

IMPROVING CYPRUS FIRE SERVICE PERFORMANCE THROUGH MODERN HR MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND JOB SATISFACTION

Purpose and aim of the study: This study investigates the relationship between staff job satisfaction and the transformation of the Cyprus Fire Service into a modern and flexible National Security Force. The primary aim is to analyse organizational and human resource management theories and their application to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of fire operations.Design / Methodology / Approach: The research employs a quantitative approach, utilizing a survey conducted with 110 members of the Cyprus Fire Service. The survey assesses job satisfaction and its impact on service quality. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using statistical methods, including descriptive, frequency, and correlation analyses.Main Findings: The findings reveal a strong positive correlation between employee satisfaction and service quality. Satisfaction influences service quality both directly and indirectly. The study highlights that job satisfaction encompasses various factors, including salary, promotions, and management practices.Originality: This research is original in its focus on transforming the Cyprus Fire Service by applying modern management principles. It provides insights into how job satisfaction can be leveraged to improve organizational performance in public safety services.Implications: The study suggests that enhancing job satisfaction can lead to improved service quality, which is crucial for the Fire Service's role in ensuring public safety. It proposes alternative strategies for personnel management by comparing successful systems from other EU Member Countries.

Preventing Musculoskeletal Injury: Security Forces Occupational Wellness and Improvements

United States Air Force Security Forces members face unique hazards associated with law enforcement and security duties similar to civilian law enforcement agencies. They also balance combat training requirements and rigorous physical conditioning that creates a high propensity for musculoskeletal injuries. The literature shows that awareness and education of contributing hazards can reduce the rate of injury among at-risk populations. This study explored the experience of Security Forces (SF) veterans to understand how actions on the job, training, and other key factors significantly contributed to their musculoskeletal injuries and chronic conditions. The research employed a phenomenological qualitative method to understand the workplace implications that may contribute to SF injury. We interviewed ten Security Forces veterans, five male and five female, to gain their insights and perspectives on their injuries and preventative measures that took place. The results showed a high rate of injury occurring on the job and a low rate of prevention. Participants described how their injuries were compounded by organizational culture and the hesitance to seek care options based on an underlying stigma. We introduce three considerations for practice to improve the musculoskeletal injury incidence rate among Security Forces: (1) developing a law enforcement-centric educational awareness program that places emphasis on physical conditioning, flexibility, and endurance to withstand occupational duties, (2) focusing on building core strength to reduce lower back and correlating injuries, (3) apply a top-down approach to remove negative stigma with seeking medical treatment for injuries.