Papers & Other Contributions by Hans Hovens
Veelzijdig daadkrachtig en complementair (Versatile, decisively and complementary), 2020
Hovens, J.L. : Versatile, decisively and complementary) This article builds on a previously publi... more Hovens, J.L. : Versatile, decisively and complementary) This article builds on a previously published opinion piece by Govaarts and examines the added value that an input from the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee can have within the discourse in the Dutch Officers Association on Dutch defense policy and the armed forces. It examines, among other things, the differences and similarities between different gendarmeries in our world and advocates taking their versatility as the starting point for an input into the discourse.
Militaire Spectator, 2020
In this reaction, the criminalised power structures (as pointed at by Dziedzic) are placed in the... more In this reaction, the criminalised power structures (as pointed at by Dziedzic) are placed in the broader perspective of undermining authority. At the same time the question is raised whether the high-risk security environment in post-conflict situations hinders making a thorough analysis or even makes this impossible. Furthermore, the reaction reflects on the effects of a military centric or civil centric approach and the somewhat ambiguous role of gendarmerie-type forces during the phases of stabilisation and reconstruction towards peacebuilding and peace sustainment. This ambiguity can be largely explained by the unfamiliarity with the hybrid character of these forces and the quest for a balance between 'clear military chain of command structures' and the search for positioning of the gendarmeries in such a way that maximum advantage is taken of their hybrid character.
Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, 2019
Security threats and related challenges are greater and more intense than we expected ten years a... more Security threats and related challenges are greater and more intense than we expected ten years ago. It is undeniable that these changes have an effect on the deployment of gendarmerie-like forces. Both within the national and international context. At the same time, it must be acknowledged that the future, as well as the speed, complexity and unpredictability of developments, are constantly increasing. It cannot be denied than that the (distant) future of gendarmerie-like forces has or must have consequences for the way in which they organise themselves and prepare for the future.
The book consists of three parts. The first part outlines the future, taking into account the changing nature of developments (speed, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) and mega trends that have an impact on the future domain of gendarmerie-like forces. Special attention is paid to the emergence of new technologies, in particular information and communication technology. In many respects, the presence and use of these technologies affect the police in general and gendarmerie-like forces in particular.
Part two sets out in greater detail possible answers to the challenges ahead. The possible consequences and actions for the gendarmerie corps are elaborated on, with particular attention for international cooperation and international missions.
The last part of the book reflects the above and the way in which the Dutch presidency of the FIEP dealt with the central theme during its presidency in 2019.
Justitiële Verkenningen, 2018
The police and the army as hybrid organizations: reality or fiction? National and international s... more The police and the army as hybrid organizations: reality or fiction? National and international security are becoming increasingly interdependent. The question is whether this leads to a certain level of militarization of the police and constabularisation of the military. In some of their operations and units, the Dutch police apply tactics, technologies and organizational principles that resemble those of the military. The police also contribute to international peace support operations and stability missions to train or monitor police in post-conflict areas. The Dutch army has been involved in some sort of interim policing during several stability missions and increasingly support the Dutch police in law enforcement operations by providing search and analytical support. Finally, as a police force with a military status, the Royal Marechaussee has acquired a structural and strong position in the Dutch police system. Although there is some sort of convergence, the authors conclude that the level of militarization of the police and constabularisation of the military remains limited.
(contribution published in Dutch, WODC Justitiële Verkenningen nr. 3-2018)
Militaire Spectator, 2017
Since the Warsaw NATO Summit in 2016, the Alliance has the ambition to project stability in areas... more Since the Warsaw NATO Summit in 2016, the Alliance has the ambition to project stability in areas. The concept of stability policing sets the frameworks for contributing to the creation of a safe and secure environment with more police capabilities, both in post conflict and in pre-conflict situations. The concept originates from the security gap experienced during the Balkan wars. The article deals with the origin and meaning of what is currently called stability policing. A concept that looks at the temporary execution of police tasks in an area as well as the support of the local police with training, monitoring, mentoring and advise. The ACT project to come up with a concept for the end of the year as well as the capacities needed for this concept are described in the article.
Stability Policing: a toolkit to project stability - NATO Supreme Command Transformation, 2017
This chapter describes the future role(s) of gendarmeries in both the national and the internatio... more This chapter describes the future role(s) of gendarmeries in both the national and the international context, a possible future that can be characterised by an ever-growing interconnectedness an interdependence and complexity that go together with globalisation. The effects on politics and international relations are touched upon and used as a stepping stone to assess the relevance, potential role (and mandate), and added value(s) of gendarmeries. Both in the national and the international context. Focussing on stability policing, it is argued that the characteristics of gendarmeries enable them to police in less benign, less stable, or less secure environments. It also argues the specific characteristics of gendarmeries, as an asset of NATO's stability policing capabilities, enabling them to be a linking pin between the worlds of the military and civil (police) organisations, and could be very useful in the beginning of an operation or/and as bridging capacity during the transfer of authority between UN or EU missions and NATO.
Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, 2014
This contribution is an introduction to the conference on Police Integrity and the subsequent boo... more This contribution is an introduction to the conference on Police Integrity and the subsequent book. It starts by placing the subject of the conference in a wider context and introduces the concept of integrity in its many facets. It addresses the importance of this notion for the police, the question of why integrity is violated and gives possible ways to safeguard or promote integrity. The third section deals with the framework of the book ‘Building Police Integrity; A Post-Conflict Perspective’ and outlines the chapters that follow
This chapter reflects on the contributions in the book ‘Building Police Integrity; A Post-Conflic... more This chapter reflects on the contributions in the book ‘Building Police Integrity; A Post-Conflict Perspective’, and looks ahead to the future. After identifying a number of key issues from the contributions and the discussions, explanations for the success and failure of police reform and building police integrity are suggested. Referring to notions as ‘post-conflict’, ‘social order’, ‘the rule of law’, and ‘police integrity’, as well as to the sometimes unrealistic approaches in police reform, the constructionist approaches that can be characterised by their attempts to reduce uncertainty and a strong normative nature [mostly based on Western values], and differences in the culture and opinions of the actors involved, observations regarding academic research and the field of policies and strategies are made.
Introductory Chapter in Seminar Proceedings FIEP Seminar on the future of the gendarmerie concept
Describes the potentials of the Euopean Gendarmerie Force. Updated/ upgraded version of article i... more Describes the potentials of the Euopean Gendarmerie Force. Updated/ upgraded version of article in Militaire Spectator
Book Chapter (in Dutch) on Moral Dilemmas and the Royal Marechaussee
Book Review on Book Dutch Anti Terrorism Unit
Describes the developments of the Afghan Police Reform from 2002 to 2009.
Bookchapter on Police Reform in Afghanistan
Article on the Development of the Royal Marechaussee as Part of a Comprehensive Approach
Presentation on the Development and Challenges of International Police in Postconflict Societies
Article on the possibilities of the European Gendarmerie Force
Book Chapter on Moral Dilemmas and the Royal Marechaussee
Describes the development of police missions.
Book Chapter (in Dutch) on Moral Dilemmas and the Royal Marechaussee
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Papers & Other Contributions by Hans Hovens
The book consists of three parts. The first part outlines the future, taking into account the changing nature of developments (speed, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) and mega trends that have an impact on the future domain of gendarmerie-like forces. Special attention is paid to the emergence of new technologies, in particular information and communication technology. In many respects, the presence and use of these technologies affect the police in general and gendarmerie-like forces in particular.
Part two sets out in greater detail possible answers to the challenges ahead. The possible consequences and actions for the gendarmerie corps are elaborated on, with particular attention for international cooperation and international missions.
The last part of the book reflects the above and the way in which the Dutch presidency of the FIEP dealt with the central theme during its presidency in 2019.
(contribution published in Dutch, WODC Justitiële Verkenningen nr. 3-2018)
The book consists of three parts. The first part outlines the future, taking into account the changing nature of developments (speed, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) and mega trends that have an impact on the future domain of gendarmerie-like forces. Special attention is paid to the emergence of new technologies, in particular information and communication technology. In many respects, the presence and use of these technologies affect the police in general and gendarmerie-like forces in particular.
Part two sets out in greater detail possible answers to the challenges ahead. The possible consequences and actions for the gendarmerie corps are elaborated on, with particular attention for international cooperation and international missions.
The last part of the book reflects the above and the way in which the Dutch presidency of the FIEP dealt with the central theme during its presidency in 2019.
(contribution published in Dutch, WODC Justitiële Verkenningen nr. 3-2018)