The formation of the Palestinian Police Force (PPF) was one of the major tasks of self-rule in 1994 following the Oslo Accords and the subsequent Cairo and Wye Accords, which outlined Palestinian self-rule and the policing function. However, the task of policing and the issue of accountability are notoriously difficult for any society emerging from protracted conflict. The establishment of the PPF according to the accords has promoted a particular model of policing that is patently at odds with the democratic agenda promoted by the international community as it encourages the Middle East Peace Process. The Police Directorate performs its work directly under the executive authority of President Yasser Arafat and lacks written plans or strategies. The structure of the PPF has emerged as far more amorphous than planned. The current legal climate under with the PPF operates is confusing, because no Palestinian criminal justice system exists. Abuse of authority has been widespread. Analyses of police accountability and civilian oversight have used a Western perspective regarding democracy, but the political setting under which the current organization of the policing function operates is the only base from which to assess reliably what is currently happening and what prospects for reform exist. Overall, any attempt to encourage an accountable policing culture must take place in tandem with general changes in the political environment that currently characterizes the experiment in self-government and will be affected by the peace process and other factors. Footnotes