Stressing Everyone Deserves Legal Protection, Secretary-General Observance Message Urges Greater Collaboration to Protect Vulnerable People, Build Trust in Policing

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the International Day of Police Cooperation, observed on 7 September:

On this International Day of Police Cooperation, we reaffirm our shared commitment to serving all members of society, especially those most at risk.

This year’s theme — “Protecting against Vulnerability:  Building Trust and Legitimacy in Policing” — addresses a painful reality:  Marginalized people often suffer the worst consequences of both lawlessness and unjust policing.

Conflict, climate change, and inequality are making more people vulnerable across the world, including women and children, older people, migrants, refugees, internally displaced people and persons with disabilities.  These groups are more frequently targeted for trafficking, exploitation, and organized crime, both online and off. 

International police cooperation is vital.  By working together across borders, law enforcement agencies can better support survivors, apprehend perpetrators, disrupt criminal networks and advance safety for all.  Law enforcement must also ensure its own legitimacy by being grounded in fairness, accountability and respect for human rights.

Everyone deserves the protection of the law.  Together, let us strengthen collaboration, foster community trust and build police institutions that serve with integrity and humanity.