International Policing Reform: Post-Conflict Police Transformation

Client: Ideas Para La Paz Foundation (Colombia)

In the aftermath of the historic peace agreements between the Colombian government and FARC, the Colombian National Police faced an unprecedented challenge: transitioning from a militarized force to a civilian policing model suitable for post-conflict society. Ideas Para La Paz Foundation brought Dr. Bear to lead a comprehensive assessment of UK and Canadian police training and recruitment systems, with the goal of identifying best practices that could inform transformation of the Colombia National Police service.

This project required deep understanding of three distinct policing cultures and the ability to conduct meaningful gap analysis between existing Colombian structures and international models. Our team conducted extensive research across both Canadian and UK policing systems, examining recruitment processes, training philosophies, career advancement structures, and accountability mechanisms. The work demanded particular sensitivity to Colombia's unique post-conflict context while identifying transferable elements from democratic policing traditions. Dr. Bear led consultations with Canadian and UK police leaders and developed recommendations that balanced international best practices with local realities. The resulting strategic framework helped guide Colombia's transition toward community-oriented policing, demonstrating how international expertise can support domestic reform efforts during critical historical transitions.