Integrity is of particular importance to SSG/R as the security sector is the only public sector holding the legitimate authority to use violence. As security sector institutions also may limit civil liberties (e.g., when making arrests), it is paramount to demonstrate their commitment to the delivery of security for all people. The integrity of the security sector, just as in any other public sector, refers to “the consistent alignment of, and adherence to, shared ethical values, principles and norms for upholding and prioritizing the public interest over private interests in the sector.”
Building integrity is much broader than tackling corruption. While the ethical values to be promoted are likely to depend on local standards and wider political realities, a common trend is the need to ensure that integrity transpires at both the individual and institutional levels and is reinforced by strong mechanisms for internal accountability and external oversight.