Community Policing Research Articles

NIGERIA’S SECURITY DYNAMICS AND THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME

This review paper delves into the 'security dynamics in Nigeria, and the fight against crime', elucidating the current state of criminal activities in Nigeria, which have reached unprecedented levels, particularly with the emergence of social media and other sophisticated technological tools. Nevertheless, the paper aims to leverage these advanced technological resources for intelligence gathering to combat crime effectively. It correlates the nature of criminal activities and their evolution with the intergenerational differences present in our society today, highlighting how these differences have also impacted the capabilities of law enforcement agencies in addressing crime in Nigeria. The recommendations put forth in this paper emphasize the significance of inter-agency cooperation, advocating for the integration of advanced intelligence-gathering mechanisms into the operational frameworks of security agencies to expedite crime prevention. Additionally, the discussion on recommendations entails investing in community policing, enhancing security protocols, and enacting reforms, among other proposals.

The Breakdown: Police-Community Communication and its Impact on Safety and Security in South Africa

The article explores the importance of good police-community communication in South Africa, focusing on the historical context, theoretical models, and factors affecting collaboration and trust. It highlights the role of community policing programs in safety advocacy and the challenges in productive police-community relations. . Methodological approach: review of the body of literature on the relationship between the police and the community in South Africa. Examples of particular police-community collaborations. The study suggests that effective public safety and crime reduction depend on trust and cooperation between police and communities. It suggests strategies to enhance ties, such as increasing openness, accountability, and community involvement. The audience includes academics and students, emphasizing the importance of efficient police- community communication for a secure South Africa, promoting justice and equity. The findings can guide policy choices and strengthen plans for public safety in South Africa. This study explores strategies to improve police-community collaborations in South Africa, focusing on public safety, crime reduction, and trust. It highlights the importance of openness, accountability, and community involvement in fostering these relationships. The study's findings can guide policy decisions and strengthen plans for public safety, promoting social justice and equality. The audience includes policymakers, law enforcement officers, community leaders, academics, and students. A safe and secure South Africa relies on efficient police-community communication.

Factors Influencing Community’s Acceptance of Twitter (X) on Improving Information Access in Tanzania’s Police Force

This study was conducted to investigate the acceptance of Twitter (X) for improving information access in Tanzania’s Police Force. The specific objectives of the study were to assess the community’s perceived usefulness of Twitter (X) in improving information access and to examine the community’s perceived ease of use of Twitter (X) for enhancing information access in Tanzania. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) guided this research. The study employed a cross-sectional research design using a quantitative research approach, while a stratified sampling technique was utilized to select 154 respondents. The population comprised 250 Tanzania Police officials, from which a sample size of 154 respondents was determined using Yamane’s formula. Out of the 154 questionnaires issued, 100 were returned, resulting in a response rate of 64 percent. Data were collected through a questionnaire and analysed using descriptive analysis and inferential analysis through multiple linear regression. The study findings indicated that the community’s perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of Twitter (X) play significant roles in improving information access in Tanzania. The findings enhance the contribution of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by unveiling the importance of its major constructs—perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use—in influencing information access within the police community. The research concluded that the Tanzania Police Force’s access to Twitter (X) is significantly influenced by perceived ease of use. Law enforcement officials use the platform more frequently as it becomes easier to navigate and more intuitive. Therefore, this study recommends that digital platforms should be utilized as long as they are user-friendly and provide value to individuals.

POLICE RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING: ASSESSING THE IMPACT ON OFFICER BEHAVIOR AND CITIZEN COMPLAINTS IN NIGERIA

This study examines the impact of police recruitment and training practices on officer behavior and citizen complaints in Nigeria, identifying significant deficiencies that contribute to misconduct and public distrust. The research explores how inadequate recruitment standards, political interference, and insufficient training on ethics and community policing have undermined the professionalism of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). Using an exploratory approach, the study analyzes literature reviews and secondary data from academic and governmental sources, comparing Nigeria’s practices with successful reforms in other African nations. Research indicates that the lack of a centralized background check system and inadequate training contribute to pervasive police misbehavior, as seen during the "End SARS" protests. Comparative analysis highlights best practices from countries like South Africa and Rwanda, where community-oriented policing and rigorous recruitment standards have improved public trust. The study concludes that reforming recruitment and training processes is crucial to promoting accountability and restoring public confidence in law enforcement. Key recommendations include establishing a centralized recruitment database, revamping training programs, and strengthening oversight mechanisms.

An elusive line in an elusive frontier: Delineating the historical trajectory of the inner line in India’s northeast

The Inner Line remains one of the most contentious yet enduring legacies of colonial rule in the erstwhile British India’s northeast frontier. However, there is a major disconnect between the popular conception of the Inner Line as a legal shield protecting ‘vulnerable’ communities, and the scholarly deconstruction of the Inner Line as a colonial instrument designed for the exploitation of resources and the policing of hill communities. This article traces the historical trajectory of the Inner Line in India’s northeast and highlights the significant moments when the Inner Line was subjected to varying interpretations. It argues that the history of the Inner Line was characterised by flexibility and instability not only in its physical manifestation as a geographical marker but more particularly in its perceived intent and purpose. Delineating the shifts in the roles and functions that were ascribed to the Inner Line at different historical junctures, this article attempts to reconcile the varied and even contradictory understandings of the Inner Line that continue to persist in postcolonial Northeast India.

Balancing public health and public safety: a situational analysis of a substance use pathway

Abstract Background Public health solutions to substance use harms are of interest across Europe, where the level of health need among detainee populations is broadly consistent. A need for multiagency working is widely recognised, as well as role changes with a view to the police engaging in health generating activity, as part of the wider public health workforce. This qualitative study explores the prospect for a multiagency, public health pathway in an English county district. This involved multiagency working across the community and custody settings. Methods 25 semi-structured interviews with senior and frontline staff of diverse agencies involved in pathway development, including public health, police, treatment providers and the NHS. A ‘frame-critical’ situational analysis sought to understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats presented by the pathway. Data were organised into themes. Results Three themes highlighted the challenges and opportunities for addressing substance use harms via multiagency collaboration across the community and custody settings. The themes highlighted how 1) agencies’ shared commitment to public health was unsettled by subtle differences on the meaning of prevention; 2) community police were more accepting of new health activity than custody police; 3) a trade-off impeded a proactive approach: the need for substance worker capacity to support police in the custody suite (a reactive approach) meant that limited community outreach was possible, despite opportunities for preventative community work involving substance workers and community police. Conclusions Public health solutions are challenging to develop in a context of contrasting understandings of ‘public health’, unclear national policy and resource constraints. The design of multiagency public health pathways must be participatory and inclusive to ensure staff buy-in: in particular, new health activities need to align with police staff’s sense of role congruence. Key messages • Multiagency public health collaborations should start by establishing a shared understanding of what ‘public health’ and ‘prevention’ mean. • A long-term perspective on training and motivational alignment (e.g., via feedback) is necessary to implement health-related activity among custody police staff.

Effective Strategies to Improve the South African Police Service's (SAPS) Capacity to Reduce Crime and Enhance Public Safety

This research delves into the critical issues of crime reduction and police service improvement in South Africa. South Africa faces a significant challenge: high crime rates, particularly violent crime and gender-based violence. This undermines public safety and necessitates a multifaceted approach to achieve a safer society. This research explores evidence-based strategies for crime reduction and police service improvement within the South African context. Main Topics: Crime reduction strategies we examine how evidence-based policing, situational crime prevention, and social crime prevention can be adapted and implemented effectively in South Africa. Strengthening the South African Police Service (SAPS): We analyze how to enhance the SAPS through improved resource allocation, specialized training programs, and a focus on community policing and trust- building. Key Arguments crime reduction requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses both criminal behavior and the underlying social factors that contribute to it. Evidence-based policing, situational crime prevention, and social crime prevention offer promising strategies when tailored to the specific contexts of South African communities. Strengthening the SAPS through improved resources, training, and community relations is crucial for building trust and enhancing public safety. Approach This research employs a literature review approach, analyzing existing research on crime reduction strategies, police service improvement, and the South African context. Significance this research has the potential to inform policymakers, police leadership, community organizations, and future research endeavors. By identifying effective strategies and outlining practical recommendations, this research can contribute to a safer and more just South Africa. Audience this research is targeted towards a broad audience, including Policymakers involved in developing and implementing crime reduction strategies. Police leadership seeking to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the SAPS. Community organizations working to address crime and promote safety in their neighborhoods. Researchers interested in furthering the understanding of crime and policing in South Africa. Conclusion by critically examining crime reduction strategies and exploring ways to strengthen the SAPS, this research lays the groundwork for a safer and more secure South Africa. Implementing the recommendations outlined here can contribute to a future where all South Africans feel safe and secure in their communities.

Implementing community policing practices to manage conflict resolution in Galeshewe, South Africa

Community policing has emerged as a vital instrument for combatting crime and enhancing public safety in South Africa. As a result, it has the capacity to go beyond traditional law enforcement functions as a mediator in disputes, fostering improved relationships between the police and the communities where they work. This paper analyses the implementation of community policing strategies by the South African police with the purpose of resolving conflicts. This study aims to address social crime prevention-related concerns through community policing methods in the Galeshewe police area within the Francis Baard policing regions of the Sol Plaatje Municipality, South Africa. The paper examines the tactics that community police employ to enforce the law, avoid social issues, and manage conflict resolution in the communities. A qualitative method and descriptive design were employed. Comprehensive document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and observations were employed as data collection strategies. An inductive reasoning model was used to analysis data. The findings of the study demonstrated that community policing plays an important role in optimizing problem mapping and it increases public knowledge of the importance of upholding security and order in the different police operations that support the community policing program.

Peran Patroli Perintis Presisi dalam Mencegah Terjadinya Tawuran di Wilayah Hukum Polda Metro Jaya

The phenomenon of brawls in the DKI Jakarta area is increasing due to environmental, economic, and population density factors in the region. The literature references that form the main basis of this research are situational crime prevention theory, iceberg theory, social conflict theory, youth identity theory, as well as the concepts of community policing, and precision inspector patrols. This research uses qualitative methods with data collection techniques of interviews and document studies. The results showed that the role of the Precision Inspector Patrol in preventing fighting in the jurisdiction of Polda Metro Jaya is to ensure that patrols and general guards can run smoothly, be responsible for each assignment, training, and supervision of patrol teams in other units, be the front guard to carry out various preventive and responsive efforts, conduct routine patrols, respond to reports from the public, and maintain the situation in the jurisdiction of Polda Metro Jaya to remain conducive and under control. Through this role, the strategies that can be carried out by the Metro Jaya Police Precision Inspector Patrol Team in preventing fighting crimes are preemptive, preventive, and repressive strategies that are investigative in nature. The community policing policy model in an effort to maximise the implementation of the Precision Pioneer Patrol to prevent horizontal conflicts in the Polda Metro Jaya jurisdiction can be realised through several management stages which include communication and synergy, cooperation, handling, and performance evaluation. Thanks to this, the Precision Pioneer Patrol has been able to reduce the number of horizontal conflicts that occur in the Polda Metro Jaya jurisdiction. The suggestions are for the Precision Pioneer Patrol Team to increase the frequency of patrols at night in the red and yellow zones, for future researchers to apply GIS as an early detection map of conflict-prone areas, and for cooperation partners to expand the scope of programme implementation P2TP2A Unit, PPA Unit, and FKDM to provide an understanding of the importance of Precision Pioneer Patrol in preventing horizontal conflicts.

Community Policing and Crime Reduction in Ebonyi State: A Study of Nigeria Police Force, Ebonyi State Command, Abakalik

Community Policing and Crime Reduction in Ebonyi State: A Study of Nigeria Police Force, Ebonyi State Command, Abakalik

The Impact of Deployment of National Police Reservists on the Overall Security Incidents in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya

The use of police reservists has been recognized as a key strategy in enhancing security, especially in conflict-prone regions like Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. Their unique advantage lies in their proximity to the local community, quick response capabilities, and familiarity with both the terrain and the people they serve. These traits, combined with their role in community policing, have proven vital in addressing resource-based conflicts and cattle rustling. Despite challenges such as limited personnel and the presence of firearms, reservists have significantly contributed to reducing violence and fostering better relations between law enforcement and local communities. The data used in this paper was part of a study that examined the relationship between the deployment of National Police Reservists and security incidents in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. Through a cross-sectional survey, data was collected from community members through a questionnaire (n = 362), interviews (the County Commander, Subcounty Commanders, Officer Commanding Police Stations and administrative Chiefs; n = 7) and FGDs (n = 7 police reservists). The Friedman Test was conducted to evaluate whether the deployment of NPRs led to reduction in the frequency of security incidents. Qualitative data, was analysed thematically. The study established that the deployment of National Police Reservists (NPRs) had a significant impact on crime reduction (χ²(4) = 11.800, p = .019). The community considered the police reservists as effective in maintaining peace and security, with residents reporting increased safety and expressing strong trust in their abilities. There was a high level of trust in the reservists' ability to protect the community. The potential challenges in the deployment of National Police Reservists include logistical constraints, inadequate communication infrastructure, limited training and resource shortages. The study recommends the continued deployment of NPRs while monitoring and evaluating their impact regularly. In addition, there is need to build on the strong community trust in NPRs by enhancing community engagement and communication. There is need to invest to increase resource allocation to the NPRs as well as address the logistical constraints faced by reservists.

Challenges Facing Ward Community Policing in Morogoro Rural District, Tanzania

This study investigated challenges facing the Ward community policing in Morogoro Rural District, Tanzania. The study used the explanatory design, sampling 100 subjects who filled a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics analyzed the data through mean score and standard deviation. Based on the results, the study concludes that the Ward community policing initiatives operate very well in the Morogoro Rural District. The community policing had sufficient resources in implementing their daily routines and there was effective communication between police officers and other stakeholders, including community members. Both the law enforcement team and member of the community possessed awareness of the importance of the Ward community policing. Furthermore, community cooperation supported the policing initiatives just as higher policy authorities supported the Ward community policing. Finally, the policy officers were disciplined and citizenship behavior prevailed among the community members. These conclusions imply that community policing is an effective way to maintain peace and harmony in Tanzanian communities.

Community Policing Practice in the Nigerian Police: Implications of Employee Burnout

Community Policing Practice in the Nigerian Police: Implications of Employee Burnout

Community policing practice in the Nigerian police: Implications of employee burnout

The Nigerian police force's implementation of community policing has coincided with increased criminal activities, exacerbated by factors like high youth unemployment, inadequate healthcare, malnutrition, poverty, banditry, and intercommunal conflicts. Against this backdrop, this aimed at assessing how burnout affects the implementation of community policing within the Nigerian police force. It specifically aimed to explore how three dimensions of burnout—emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment, and depersonalization—influence officers' adherence to and practice of community policing principles. By examining these factors, the study sought to provide a comprehensive understanding of how the psychological well-being of police officers impacts their ability to effectively engage in community-oriented policing strategies. Participants were 369 police personnel, which consisted of 266 males and 94 females, with a mean age of 36.6 years. The study adopted the cross-sectional research design. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and the Community Policing Inventory were used as measures of burnout and community policing respectively. Three hypotheses were tested with the multiple linear regression. Results revealed that emotional exhaustion did not significantly predict the practice of community policing (β = -.087, t = -1.332, p = .184), accounting for 8.7% variability in the practice of community policing. Personal accomplishment did not significantly predict the practice of community policing (β = .113, t = 1.951, p = .052), accounting for 11.3% variability in the practice of community policing. Depersonalization significantly negatively predicts the practice of community policing (β = -.275, t = -4.425, p <.001), accounting for 27.5% variability in the practice of community policing. It was recommended that future studies investigate the mediating and moderating variables that can provide a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between burnout and community policing in the Nigerian setting.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Community Policing Strategies in Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Simanjiro District, Tanzania

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Community Policing Strategies in Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Simanjiro District, Tanzania

Determinants of Nyumba Kumi Community Policing Initiative on Maintenance of Law and Order in Migori County, Kenya

Purpose: The study sought to determine the key factors influencing the success or failure of the Nyumba Kumi initiative in maintaining law and order within Suna West Sub-County, Migori County, Kenya. More specifically, it set out to explore how community awareness, collaboration with law enforcers, technology in use, and information sharing influence the success of this community policing endeavor. The study further points out difficulties inhibiting the success of this initiative, such as frayed relations between the community and police force, mistrust, and issues related to personal vendettas, which have undermined the initiative's goal of reducing insecurity. Methodology: This study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional research type to investigate the extent to which selected associated factors affected the implementation of the Nyumba Kumi initiative in Suna West Sub-County. Local community members, Nyumba Kumi leaders, and local administration officials were interviewed using structured questionnaires. A total sample of 210 respondents was represented from all key stakeholder groups using a stratified random sampling technique. Statistical analyses were performed to summarize variables of interest with the help of descriptive statistics like means, and standard deviations (SD) using SPSS version 26. The study also used inferential statistics (Pearson product-moment correlation) to examine the relationships between variables. Findings were tabulated and graphically displayed for trends and comparisons between indicators. Findings: The study achieved a high response rate, highlighting strong positive relationships between the maintenance of law and order and several key factors. Significant associations were found with community awareness (r = 0.759, p < 0.001), collaboration with law enforcement (r = 0.793, p < 0.001), technology use (r = 0.450, p < 0.001), and information sharing (r = 0.673, p < 0.001), all of which contributed to enhanced security in Suna West sub-county, Migori County. These findings indicate that the Nyumba Kumi initiative thrives on increased community awareness, effective collaboration with security agencies, and the integration of technology. Despite challenges such as strained relationships between community members and law enforcement, the initiative has led to reduced crime rates, quicker emergency response times, and more peaceful conflict resolution in the area. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study reinforces key theories related to community policing. It supports Collective Efficacy Theory by demonstrating how communities contribute to law and order through informal support and social control. It also bolsters Social Cohesion Theory, emphasizing the significance of strong social bonds for effective community policing. Furthermore, it validates social cognitive theory by illustrating how observational learning and social interactions influence community behavior in security initiatives. From a practical standpoint, the study recommends enhancing community training, fostering collaboration with law enforcement, integrating technologies such as mobile applications and GIS, and improving information sharing. These strategies serve as a practical framework for strengthening grassroots security efforts and enhancing the effectiveness of community policing within the Nyumba Kumi initiatives. Additionally, the study offers valuable policy recommendations that advocate for supporting community training, encouraging collaboration with law enforcement, promoting technology use, and enhancing information sharing. Implementing these policies would significantly improve community policing outcomes by facilitating better cooperation between communities and law enforcement agencies.

Interaction Between Police and Society as Basis for Combating Crime: Analysis of Ukrainian and Foreign Experience

Objective: The purpose of the article is to determine the role and significance of the interaction between the police and society as the main factor in combating crime, taking into account Ukrainian and foreign legislation, different opinions of scholars and empirical data. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical basis for this study is the Swedish concept of "community policing," the French model of "police de proximité," as well as other socially-oriented models of policing from developed foreign countries. Method: The methodological basis of the research is the following methods: comparative and legal, formal and legal, system analysis, interpretive, analysis and synthesis. Results and Discussion: The existing concepts of interaction between the police and society in the context of combating crime have been characterized. The essence of such legal categories as “crime combating”, “interaction between police and society”, “modern concepts” has been revealed and their characteristic has been carried out. The problems of forming and implementing modern concepts of interaction between the police and society in combating crime in Ukraine have been studied. Contributions: A conclusion regarding the effectiveness of various models of the interaction between the police and society in combating crime has been made. The experience of some foreign countries regarding the interaction between the police and society has been analyzed in order to implement the best practices in combating crime into the national legislation. Optimal recommendations regarding the possibilities of adapting foreign experience into Ukraine have been offered, taking into account the current legislation and positive international experience in this area of legal relations.

The impact of a brief and immersive use-of-force training exercise on citizens’ attitudes toward police

Purpose Citizens’ attitudes toward police (ATP) have declined dramatically in recent years, prompting many agencies to implement police–community relations programs designed to build back the community’s trust. Such programs are often time-intensive, requiring many hours to complete. The current study examined the impact of a brief (approximately 15 minutes) community relations intervention on citizens’ ATP and police use of force (UoF).Design/methodology/approach A sample of 104 citizens completed three UoF training exercises (i.e., the intervention) inside a video simulator at a municipal police department. Immediately before and after the intervention, citizens’ ATP and police UoF were recorded.Findings Despite having relatively favorable impressions of police at baseline, many attitudes grew to be more favorable following the intervention, including perceptions of job difficulty and the belief that police are treated too harshly by the media. While global impressions of the police did not change, citizens came to believe that greater UoF levels were warranted in specific types of encounters, such as when a suspect tries to strike an officer.Originality/value These findings suggest that providing citizens with an opportunity to experience UoF decision-making first-hand can positively impact certain ATP and police work. Law enforcement agencies may find that such brief, immersive interventions are useful tools for improving police–community relations.

COMMUNITY POLICING AND CRIME PREVENTION IN NIGERIA

Community policing has emerged as a promising strategy for crime prevention and enhancing public safety around the world and in Nigeria. This is due to the difficult task of conventional policing, especially where the community is not actively involved in crime prevention. It has been realized that safety in any given community requires an investment not only of money, but also time and talent, and that sometimes the best solutions are found in understanding the underlying causes of crime and disorder. Nigeria is one of the countries in the world that has embraced the idea of community policing with great enthusiasm for about two decades ago. Consequently, Nigeria, has introduced several policy measures with the main aim of encouraging the community to take up some responsibility for their safety and security of their environment. Drawing on empirical research and case studies, this paper examines the key principles, approaches and challenges of implementing community policing initiatives, to highlight the significance and impact of collaboration between local communities and law enforcement agencies on crime prevention, trust-building and social cohesion in Nigerian communities. The paper also emphasizes the importance of capacity building, sustainable funding, and institutional support in strengthening the effectiveness of community policing in Nigeria.

Observations and Photo Elicitation Reveals Facilitators and Detractors to a Nutrition and Physical Literacy Youth Community Police Program

Observations and Photo Elicitation Reveals Facilitators and Detractors to a Nutrition and Physical Literacy Youth Community Police Program