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. Furthermore, the Guidebook elaborates on structural and managerial aspects within the police which are considered necessary to achieve and sustain democratic policing. Each of these principles of democratic policing is further elaborated in the Guidebook and referenced to relevant in-depth studies and international standards or commitments. The Guidebook is the ‘key’ to ‘unlocking’ these documents for the reader. The Guidebook is designed to assist staff of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) dealing with police and law enforcement issues, police practitioners and policy-makers working to develop and strengthen democratic policing, to serve as a reference to internationally adopted standards.
