Brian Dobrich

Director, Strategic Information Department
United Nations Police, East Timor
Focus Area(s)
Accountable Policing
Critical Tasks
Training
Interviewers
Nicolas Lemay-Hebert
Country of Reform
Timor-Leste
Town/City
Dili
Place (Building/Street)
National Police Headquarters
Country
Timor-Leste
Date of Interview
Monday, July 21, 2008
Abstract
Brian Dobrich describes his role in the United Nations mission in Timor-Leste, where he was serving at the time of the interview. He describes how the U.N. police initially mentored the National Police of Timor-Leste on how to conduct investigations. In the first half of the interview, he explains how the U.N. dealt with crime in the districts and with the problem of gangs in the capital, Dili. In the second half, he talks about the internal workings of such U.N. missions, including problems of inefficiency, rigidity and bureaucracy. He also offers advice on how to build good relations with the local police force.

Full Interview

69MB
Brian Dobrich Interview
Profile
At the time of this interview, Brian Dobrich was a member of the Australian Federal Police, dealing mainly with frauds against the government, narcotics, and counter-terrorism. His latest overseas mission was in Timor-Leste, working for the United Nations to restore law and order and to ensure security and policing in Dili, following fighting between the Timorese military and the police. At the time of the interview, he was director of the Strategic Information Department  for the U.N. police mission in Timor-Leste. He served with the U.N. peacekeeping force in Cyprus in 1981 and with UNPOL in 1997. These assignments were followed by service with the U.N.Transitional Administration in Timor-Leste in 2001 and two non-U.N. missions in the Solomon Islands.
Keywords
business improvement districts
community policing
gangs
information management systems
information sources
integration and amalgamation
internal management
language
rank restructuring
rural policing
U.N. policies
Not specified