Daniela Schermerhorn

Daniela Schermerhorn is a Police Officer from the Federal District State Police – Brazil and possesses over 23 years of experience in Human Resources Management, Administration and Operational Services in Law Enforcement Agency, at the national and international level, with an emphasis on peace and conflict resolution. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Police Science, a Bachelor of Law degree, a Latu Sensus Graduate Program in Public Law, State and Constitution, a Latu Sensus Graduate Program in Public Security Management, and a Latu Sensus Graduate Program in Public Security Strategic Management.

In 2008, Daniela was selected as one of the first female Brazilian police officers to work as a Presidential Security Supervisor. She coordinated teams of personnel security (close protection) in order to provide a safe and secure environment for the President of the Republic of Brazil, Vice President, and their families, across the country and abroad, in all national and international, official and private events, from 2008 to 2012. She has worked with law enforcement agencies in many places abroad, planning and coordinating the presidential security when visiting foreign heads of state.

Daniela has always had an interest in peace and conflict resolution, which led her to volunteer in 2012 on a Peacekeeping Mission to Haiti, where she served with the United Nations Civil Police, supporting the peace-building process as mentor and advisor for the Haitian National Police. She was deployed at the Crowd Control Unit (Formed Police Unit Coordination – FPU), being assigned during her tour of duty as Head of Operation Section, Planning Officer, and Interim Deputy Chief of Operations for FPU/SWAT Coordination. She was selected within the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) as the only female International Police Officer to be certified in 2013 as a UN Instructor for the Evaluation of Operational Capabilities and Selection of International FPUs for deployment to UN Peacekeeping Missions.

As a result, in February 2014 she was appointed by MINUSTAH and selected by the Department for Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) as FPU Coordinator to perform the selection of Pakistan Police Units, for deployment in MINUSTAH (Haiti) and the United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). In April 2014, she was appointed as FPU Coordinator Team Leader to conduct the selection of 2 Formed Police Units and 1 SWAT Unit from Jordan, to be deployed in MINUSTAH (Haiti).

After achieving her Master’s in International Development Policy, Daniela continues to pioneer in her career, helping implement innovative policies in Public Security, combining the academic knowledge and experience abroad with a practical approach from an experienced professional from the Security Sector.

She has assumed great responsibility, being appointed as Commander of the Federal District Police Crowd Control Unit during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2020). Also, in May 2021 she was appointed Commander of the 24º Police Battalion, attending two Administrative Regions (municipalities) in the Federal District, which house approximately 50.000 families. She is responsible for the safety and security of the community and the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects in community policing at the region. She has fostered integration between the police and the community for a joint management of public security issues, promoting transparence, accountability and best practices in public security management.

Daniela continues to serve as Global Peace Index Ambassador, and since 2019 she has been part of the Latin American Peace Activator Program, partnership between Rotary and the Institute of Economics and Peace.