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Keeping the Peace

by the Commandant - Defence Police Training Centre

Australia has an extensive and proud history of helping to maintain the peace in many of the world's trouble spots. Since the end of WWII, the ADF has contributed to over 30 peace operations. This contribution, and the professionalism of the ADF, has earned the respect and admiration of the international community. In 1992 , the ADF acknowledged the increasing complexity of peace operations and identified a need to provide additional doctrine and training. Consequently, on 25 January 1993, the ADF Peacekeeping Centre was established as part of the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre (ADFWC) at RAAF Base Williamtown, 35km north of Newcastle.

The roles of ADFPKC are to:

• act as a repository for peace operations expertise and experience;
• monitor international peace operations issues;
• assist ADF units and individuals train for peace operations;
• develop doctrine, procedures and tactics for peace operations; and
• represent the ADF on peace operations matters at seminars, conferences and the like.

ADFPKC is a vital part of the Australian Government's strategic and operational commitment to global peace-related initiatives. The Centre contributes to a variety of activities both within Australia and abroad. Many of these include international engagement as part of the wider whole-of-government strategic plan. In any one year, the ADFPKC can expect to be involved in:

• the conduct of one or more international peace operations seminars (IPOS);
• assistance in delivering peace operations education for Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC), 39 Personnel Support Battalion, individuals and units deploying on peace operations, as well as the Australian Federal Police (International Deployment Group);
• providing specific peace operations training to regional and other international partners including Singapore Command and StaffCollege; ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF); and Thailand Supreme Command (Exercise Pirap Jabiru).
• continued development and refinement of ADF Peace Operations Doctrine, including Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL);
• incorporation of the lessons learned from Australian and other nations' peace operations into an information database;
• attendance at relevant international conferences and seminars; and
• assisting the UN Training and Evaluation Service with the development of Standardised Generic Training Modules (SGTM) for all personnel deploying to UN missions.

ADFPKC is headed by a Director, LTCOL (E); and is operated by two permanent MAJ (E) staff officers. These staff officers have responsibilities for Analysis and Development; and Doctrine and Training.

One of the recent ADFPKC innovations was the development of basic peace operations training package for the wider ADF community. The aim was to bridge the gap within the ADF training continuum for officers and other ranks, who deploy on peace operations or required to conduct planning and preparation for UN and multi-national deployments. The project came in the form of an e-Learning package, aptly name the United Nation Peacekeeping Course. Released in July 2005, the program includes 23 introductory modules on UN peace operations and related issues. The package can be found either using CAMPUS (ADF on-line training system) via the intranet, or it can be provided as a stand-alone CD application (just contact ADFPKC for your copy). You do not need any pre-requisites for the training and is strongly recommended for all RACMP (and service police) members. It includes subjects such as the UN System, Legal Framework for Peace Operations, Code of Conduct, Child Protection, Gender Awareness and Media Relations to name a few.

As an adjunct to this, ADFPKC was also successful in obtaining the rights as the ADF facilitator (ie registered training organisation) to administer the UN series of courses offered as part of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research Programme of Correspondence Instruction (UNITAR POCI). These courses have been available via the UNITAR website for many years, but have come at a cost to the enrolled student (approx $65-$145US per subject). The good news is that ADFPKC can sponsor up to 500 ADF students in FY 05/06 at no cost to the individual. The courses are ideally aimed at ADF members who are currently posted to or are to be posted to peace-related appointments. It can also cater for those members who are studying peace operations as part of a wider external study regime. Enrolment can be done via the internet at http://adf.unitarpoci.org/. Just log on and follow the guide. The subjects are considerably more detailed than those offered on the CAMPUS package and include:

• International Humanitarian Law and the Law of Armed Conflict
• Principles for the Conduct of Peace Support Operations
• Global Terrorism
• History units (x 2)
• Operational Logistics Support to UNPKO
• Serving as UN Military Observer
• Conduct of Humanitarian Relief Operations
• UN Civilian Police: Restoring Order Following Hostilities

All Service Police are encouraged to take a look at what ADPKC has to offer. This includes participation on MILOBS course and/ or IPOS (CAPT-MAJ); or undertaking distance learning through the CAMPUS system (all ranks) and/ or UNITAR POCI courses (pref SNCO/ officer). For more information go to the ADFPKC website on the intranet (http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/adfwc/peacekeeping/index.htm) or on the internet (http://www.defence.gov.au/adfwc/peacekeeping/).

This was part of a wider peace operations initiative including ‘An Agenda For Peace' released by the UN Secretary General in 1992; and in accordance with the requirements of Australia's strategic policy outlined in the Defence White Paper.

The role of the ADFWC is to enhance ADF Joint and Combined operational capability. Capability is comprised of force structure (including doctrine and individual training) and preparedness (including development, training, exercises and evaluation). Courses include Introduction to Joint Warfare, Joint Operations (and Logistics) Planning and Operations Law.

More information can be found at http//:www.unitarpoci.org

ADFPKC intranet site can be accessed from the Defence Restricted Intranet (home page) and follow the links to VCDF/ CJOPS – Joint Operations Command – JOC Organisation – Direct Command Units – ADFWC – Wings – Peacekeeping.