Law Enforcement Community Research Articles

The Role of ward Police staff in Enhancing Rural Human Security: Evidence from Moshi District Council

Rural districts in Tanzania face significant challenges in maintaining human security, with crime rates often exacerbated by limited law enforcement resources and community disengagement. This study addresses the critical role of Ward Police Staff (WPS) in mitigating these issues, focusing on their impact within the Moshi District Council. The primary aim is to examine the role of Ward Police Staff in Moshi District Council, Tanzania. A pragmatic research philosophy was adopted, allowing for the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics involved. Moshi District was selected for this study due to its unique human security challenges, including a higher crime rate compared to neighboring districts, making it an ideal case for exploring the effectiveness of community-police collaboration. The research involved 188 participants, including Ward Executive Officers (WEOs), victims, and community members, and data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, group discussions, and documentary reviews. A concurrent triangulation nested explanatory research design was employed, with quantitative data analyzed using SPSS software 26 version and qualitative data subjected to thematic analysis. The findings reveal the critical role of WPS in fostering community engagement and promoting security. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers and local authorities in developing strategies to enhance human security in similar rural contexts. Recommendations include strengthening community engagement, customizing security initiatives, and providing continuous training for WPS to adapt to community needs effectively.

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.

Unveiling the failure: a comprehensive analysis of Bangladesh’s war on drugs

Purpose This study aims to evaluate public perceptions of illegal drug availability in Bangladesh amid the ongoing war on drugs while comparing the efficacy of crackdowns with traditional law enforcement strategies. Design/methodology/approach Using a quantitative approach, the research analyzes data gathered from 400 participants, including law enforcement officials, students, politicians, community leaders and journalists. Findings The findings reveal that illegal drugs continue to be widely accessible in Bangladesh, with 50.15% of respondents acknowledging this despite the government's intensified efforts against drug dealers since 2015. Perceptions of availability are notably higher among those identifying as “other” (66.67%), younger individuals aged 18–28 (55.26%), participants with lower educational levels (76.67% for those with less than SSC education), unmarried respondents (58.86%) and students (60.55%). When assessing enforcement methods, a substantial majority (65.6%) prefer regular law enforcement over violent crackdowns. The survey indicates that all respondents identifying as “other,” along with 73.23% of females, 65.6% of males, 81.82% of participants aged 58–68 and individuals from Khulna (92.65%), Rangpur (96.92%) and Dhaka (51.43%), overwhelmingly favor regular law enforcement compared to crackdowns. Practical implications The study emphasizes the urgent need to address the shortcomings of violent anti-drug measures and advocates for a more holistic approach that considers the complex interplay of social, economic and health factors in combating drug abuse in Bangladesh. Originality/value This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between demographic factors and perceptions of drug availability and the effectiveness of violent crackdowns vs regular law enforcement, revealing new insights into this complex sociocultural issue.

The big law enforcement information exchange challenge

Aim: The paper attempts to take stock and present the most significant dilemmas and challenges of cross border criminal data and intelligence exchange between law enforcement authorities of EU Member States that can be experienced by police personnel in the field at the moment. Methodology: In addition to the relevant legislation, recommendations and best practices, the paper – based on personal experience as a police professional, supplemented by insights of the members of the EU law enforcement community – describes and illustrates the various challenges of today’s international police cooperation landscape. Findings: The EU law enforcement information exchange scene is in the midst of its transformation due to globalisation and the progressive information and communication technology advancement. The evolution of the institutionalised cross border criminal data and intelligence exchange has to keep up with the world of crime and reflect the challenges which arise from the sensitive nature of the policy area itself, where any substantial development can only be reached by innovation and capacity building of the law enforcement sector. Value: This snapshot is to give a structured overview and to draw more attention to the complexity and the controversies of the international law enforcement information exchange landscape, which policy-makers and police professionals have to face nowadays in order to successfully prevent, detect or investigate cross border criminal offences.

A bűnüldözési információcsere nagy kihívása

Aim: The paper attempts to take stock and present the most significant dilemmas and challenges of cross border criminal data and intelligence exchange between law enforcement authorities of EU Member States that can be experienced by police personnel in the field at the moment. Methodology: In addition to the relevant legislation, recommendations and best practices, the paper – based on personal experience as a police professional, supplemented by insights of the members of the EU law enforcement community – describes and illustrates the various challenges of today’s international police cooperation landscape. Findings: The EU law enforcement information exchange scene is in the midst of its transformation due to globalisation and the progressive information and communication technology advancement. The evolution of the institutionalised cross border criminal data and intelligence exchange has to keep up with the world of crime and reflect the challenges which arise from the sensitive nature of the policy area itself, where any substantial development can only be reached by innovation and capacity building of the law enforcement sector. Value: This snapshot is to give a structured overview and to draw more attention to the complexity and the controversies of the international law enforcement information exchange landscape, which policy-makers and police professionals have to face nowadays in order to successfully prevent, detect or investigate cross border criminal offences.

Agroterrorism: Assessing the Growing Threat to Global Food Security and Economic Stability

Agroterrorism, the deliberate introduction of harmful agents into agriculture to cause disease and economic damage, poses a growing threat to global food security and economic stability. Motivated by deep-seated conflicts and often perpetrated by both state and non-state actors, agroterrorism targets livestock, crops and water supplies, aiming to destabilize economies and social systems. Historical incidents, such as the mercury contamination of Jaffa oranges and cyanide-tainted grapes, underscore its severe impact. Recent concerns, intensified by advancements in biotechnology and increasing global trade, highlight the vulnerability of agriculture to such attacks. The potential economic damage from a single agroterrorism incident could reach billions of dollars, exacerbating food shortages and undermining public trust. Effective prevention and preparedness require multi-sectoral cooperation involving law enforcement, agricultural and scientific communities. Strategies include enhancing detection methods, developing biosecurity measures and improving international trade regulations. The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and related organizations advocate for a comprehensive approach to bolster global resilience against agro-crime and agro-terrorism, emphasizing the need for robust preparedness and inter-agency collaboration to mitigate this evolving threat.

Shadows of fear: Extortion and protection racketeering amidst organized crime in South Africa

This paper investigates organized crime networks that engage in extortion and protection racketeering in South Africa. Due to socio-economic hardships and weak institutional frameworks, criminals have employed fear and violence as a means to gain control over local communities and businesses illegally. The study employed a literature analysis of scholarly materials such as peer-reviewed journals, books, and reports by law enforcement agencies and nongovernmental organizations among others to gather knowledge on extortion and protection racketeering in organized crime in South Africa. The study examines the operational strategies and impacts of organised crime networks on extortion and protection racketeering on local economies as well as public safety. The findings review that there is an all-pervasive culture of fear which underlies blackmailing as well as racketeering activities thereby increasing the vulnerability of communities while undermining social cohesion. The paper concludes by recommending policies meant to improve law enforcement capability and community resilience against this threat on communities.

The Enigma of Humanistic Justice in Addressing Narcotics Abuse

Drug abuse is a complex problem that requires a comprehensive solution. This includes how the concept is used in various aspects of tackling drug abuse. Justice in drug abuse eradication is a complex enigma, especially when the approach taken tends to be repressive and pays less attention to humanitarian aspects. Restorative justice is an alternative paradigm for handling drug abuse in Indonesia by linking it to the values of Pancasila. Restorative justice emphasizes recovery, reconciliation, and reintegration of offenders, victims, and society. This approach is in line with Pancasila values such as humanity, unity, and social justice. Restorative justice does not only enforce the law, but also pays attention to the social and psychological aspects involved in drug abuse cases. Applying restorative justice to the rehabilitation of drug addicts helps them overcome their addiction and become productive members of society again. Implementing restorative justice requires the cooperation of various stakeholders, including government, law enforcement, and local communities. This research aims to explore and understand the complexity of humanistic justice in the context of drug abuse treatment, as well as examine the definition and concept of humanistic justice in the context of drug abuse. This research uses an empirical juridical method, with interviews conducted at the Kediri City Attorney's Office and observation visits to post-rehabilitation drug abusers. Results of this study show that to overcome this, a comprehensive approach is needed that affects many aspects of life. The noble values of Pancasila provide a solid foundation in developing effective coping strategies.

Pandemic Communications Beyond Risk and Crisis: A Change of Course for Law Enforcement During COVID-19

ABSTRACT COVID-19 contributed to what we know about pandemic communications, typically framed through risk and crisis. Risk and crisis as frameworks are limited, however, and this article argues that there are differences between primary and secondary pandemic communications, illustrated in this study by the typically change-adverse law enforcement community (LEC) that during COVID-19 not only had to control risk but also had to change their course on other nonrisk and crisis communications practices.

Influence of Youth Unemployment on Youth Involvement in Crime in Kakuma Refugee Camp

Youth, constituting an estimated 70% of the total population, play pivotal roles in society due to their energy and dynamism. Conversely, a significant portion of the refugee population comprises young individuals who, despite being provided with various capacity-building programs, sometimes find themselves involved in criminal activities. The study sought to assess the influence of youth unemployment on youth involvement in Crime in Kakuma Refugee Camp. Employing a descriptive research design, the study was guided by Strain theory. The target population included refugees, host community members operating businesses within the study area, government officials, and officials from humanitarian agencies implementing projects in refugee settlements. Stratified random sampling was utilized to select South Sudanese sub-clans, while purposive sampling was employed to select security officers and stakeholders from various departments. Data collection involved the use of questionnaires and interviews, gathering responses from 125 and 20 respondents, respectively. Primary data was obtained through questionnaires and interviews with government officers working in the camp, such as those from the Department of Refugee Services (DRS), law enforcement officers, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), community peace and protection teams (CPPTs), and national and county government administrators overseeing the refugee camp's jurisdiction. Secondary data was sourced from scholarly journals, books, the internet, reports, newspapers, and treaties on refugees, aiding in achieving the study objectives. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics for quantitative data and content analysis for qualitative data, utilizing SPSS and NVIVO software, respectively. Results were presented through tables, charts, and figures. The study found that poverty was a significant factor contributing to youth involvement in crime. Additionally, societal treatment, characterized by suspicion, victimization, lack of recognition, and disharmony influenced youth criminal behaviour. To address these issues, the study recommends that humanitarian organizations and governments provide income-generating activities for youth, intensify initiatives to alleviate community involvement in crime, foster positive societal attitudes towards youth, and provide proper guidance on avoiding negative peer influence, thereby deterring youth from joining criminal groups.

The Role of Fashion in Crime Symbolism in Ghana, West Africa

ABSTRACT This study delves into the intricate interplay between fashion and deviance, focusing on Ghana, West Africa to address the gap in understanding how clothing choices can serve as symbolic conduits for deviant behavior in Ghana. We adopted a qualitative approach, utilizing ethnographic research design to explore the complex relationship between clothing, symbolism, and deviant behavior in the Ghanaian cultural context. We conducted semi-structured interviews with three categories of participants: 10 deviant or criminal individuals from Nsawam prisons and in the communities through non-participant observation, 8 community members, and 2 law enforcement officers. We employed purposive sampling method to ensure that participants had relevant expertise and firsthand knowledge related to clothing symbolism in deviant subcultures. The study findings mainly revealed that clothes convey identities and codes subtly and is a potent emblem of group connection. The intricate dynamics surrounding the stigmatization and labeling of clothing symbolism have an impact on people’s self-esteem and interaction with law enforcement. To develop guidelines and training programs for law enforcement officers and community members on concrete methods of identifying and comprehending clothing symbolism within deviant and criminal subcultures, policy makers may form a collaborative task force consisting of law enforcement, community leaders, and cultural experts.

The Role of Community Policing in Crime Reduction: Comparative Analysis of South Africa and Kenya

Community policing, characterized by its emphasis on law enforcement-community partnerships, problem-solving strategies, and decentralized organizational structures, represents a multifaceted approach aimed at improving community well-being and reducing crime rates. This paper examines the implementation and effectiveness of community policing in different socio-political contexts, with a focus on South Africa and Kenya. Despite being a global phenomenon, community policing manifests differently across countries, necessitating a nuanced analysis of its application and outcomes. South Africa and Kenya provide intriguing case studies, showcasing both successes and challenges in community policing initiatives. While community-oriented strategies have shown promise in fostering trust between law enforcement agencies and communities, addressing socio-economic disparities, and enhancing citizen participation in crime prevention, concerns persist regarding its efficacy in contexts of poor governance and resource constraints. By evaluating crime rates, citizen perceptions of safety, and community satisfaction, this paper highlights the importance of ongoing research and tailored interventions to optimize the impact of community policing. Ultimately, community policing emerges as a transformative approach with the potential to foster safer, more resilient communities when implemented through collaborative, adaptive, and contextually sensitive strategies. Keywords: Community policing, crime reduction, South Africa, Kenya, law enforcement-community partnerships, problem-solving approach, citizen participation, socio-political context, governance, comparative analysis

Examining media reports of pediatric unintentional firearm injury deaths for prevention messaging concerning secured storage of firearms: U.S., 2021–2022

BackgroundMedia outlets that report on firearm injuries and deaths may provide an important role in emphasizing safe storage practices, particularly when unintentional firearm injuries and deaths occur among young children. There has been a scarcity of research on aspects of media reports on injuries, particularly concerning prevention messaging. The objective of the present study was to examine prevention messaging on the safe storage of firearms among media outlets when reporting on unintentional firearm injury deaths among children aged 0–11.MethodsThe Gun Violence Archive collects information from media sources regarding firearm injuries and deaths. We analyzed data from 2021 to 2022 to analyze prevention messaging incorporated into the media reports. We then examined if media reporting of events that occurred in States with child access prevention (CAP) laws had a higher likelihood of including prevention messaging compared to those events occurring in States without CAP laws.ResultsThere were 223 deaths reported that were attributed to unintentional firearm discharge among children aged 0–11. Prevention messages were delivered in 61 of the 223 incidents. Specific messages which included the word “lock” when referring to firearm storage were included in 21.9% of all incidents. An analysis examining State CAP laws and the presence of any prevention message per event did not yield any discernable relationship.ConclusionInclusion of prevention messaging stating that firearms should be stored locked and unloaded when reporting on unintentional firearm injury deaths among children is lacking. When specific prevention messaging was included, the source was often law enforcement. Public health officials may play an important role in educating the journalistic and law enforcement communities about the inclusion of safe storage messages when reporting on firearm deaths.

2023 WEST COAST SECURITY CONFERENCE: OPENING REMARKS DAY 2

On November 14, 2023, Dr. John Gilmour delivered the opening remarks for the second day of this year’s West Coast Security Conference. The key points discussed were the structure of the day, the value and mission of CASIS, and contemporary challenges and opportunities faced by law enforcement communities.
 
 Received: 01-10-2024
 Revised: 01-26-2024

A Study on Transnational Organised Crimes And Terrorism

Transactional crimes are crimes that have actual or potential effects across national borders and crimes that are intrastate but offend fundamental values of the International Community. The terms is commonly used in the law enforcement and academic communities. Transactional organized crime refers specifically to transactional crime carried entirely crime organizations.

Collecting, Analyzing, and Responding to Stop Data: A Guidebook for Law Enforcement Agencies, Government, and Communities

Collecting, Analyzing, and Responding to Stop Data: A Guidebook for Law Enforcement Agencies, Government, and Communities

Building bridges with the Pennsylvania State Police: A pilot assessment of a Law Enforcement Community Outreach Program

Abstract In 2021, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) created and implemented the Building Bridges Community Outreach Program (BBCOP), which is a positive law enforcement-initiated non-enforcement contact intervention designed to educate the public and improve community relations. To date, there have been no empirical assessments of the influence that this program has had on public perceptions of police. The current study attempts to fill this gap in the literature by offering an assessment of BBCOP participants’ perceptions of the program, and their perceptions of police before and after participating in the program. Specifically, the current study uses a mixed-method analysis of matched (i.e. pre- and post-intervention) survey data (n = 106) collected from student participants of initial iterations of the PSP BBCOP intervention occurring between the end of January 2023 and the end of January 2024. Findings reveal that BBCOP participants overwhelmingly reported positive sentiments about their experiences with the program. Further, statistical analyses revealed significant improvements in perceptions of law enforcement effectiveness, procedural justice, and legitimacy following participation in the program. Implications based on these findings are discussed within.

Pelaksanaan Pembinaan Terhadap Narapidana Resiko Tinggi (Percobaan Bunuh Diri) di Lembaga Pemasyarakatan Perempuan Klas IIB Jambi

Jambi Class IIB Women's Penitentiary, which is a special prison for women, during training, one prisoner was found to have attempted suicide, this is a high risk prisoner. The aim of this research is to understand and analyze the implementation of coaching, obstacles and efforts towards high risk convicts (attempting suicide) at the Class IIB Women's Penitentiary in Jambi. The research method uses sociological juridical. Implementation of Guidance for High Risk Prisoners (Suicide Attempts) at the Class IIB Jambi Women's Penitentiary undergoes the same coaching program as other inmates, but the coaching is carried out with extra monitoring, especially on the use of tools so that they are prohibited from taking part in gardening activities and are further directed towards dancing activities. , singing, vocal processing which leads to healing and mental development of the prisoner. Obstacles encountered in the Implementation of Guidance for High Risk Prisoners (Suicide Attempts) at the Class IIB Jambi Women's Penitentiary, namely the legal factor itself (changes in correctional law thereby changing policies in the guidance of prisoners), law enforcement factors (the absence of psychologists and the absence of specifically for mental training coaches), infrastructure factors (the absence of special infrastructure for these prisoners), community factors (the family's indifference in healing the mental health of these prisoners) and cultural factors (society's stigma towards former prisoners in society. Efforts made in Overcoming obstacles in the Implementation of Guidance for High Risk Prisoners (Suicide Attempts) at the Jambi Class IIB Women's Penitentiary, namely making policy adjustments, socializing the existence of correctional institutions to prisoners, collaborating with the community, prisoners' families in healing the mental health of these high risk prisoners. Suggestions put forward are the need for the existence of a trainer with psychologist education at the Class IIB Jambi Women's Correctional Institution, increasing the socialization of the existence of the correctional institution in providing guidance for prisoners to form independence, personality and skills to return to society and collaboration with mental hospitals in developing prisoners' mental health.

Criminal Justice Reform and Racial Disparities

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to explore the relationship between criminal justice reform and racial disparities.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Findings: The findings revealed that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to criminal justice reform and racial disparities. Preliminary empirical review revealed that while certain policies and initiatives have shown promise in reducing disparities, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The research underscores the importance of a holistic approach that considers the interplay of various factors, including policing practices, sentencing policies, economic opportunities, and community engagement. It is evident that meaningful change will require a coordinated effort from policymakers, law enforcement agencies, communities, and advocates.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Critical Race theory, Social Disorganization and Strain theory may be used to anchor future studies on criminal justice reforms. The study made the following recommendations: comprehensive criminal justice reforms, implicit bias training and accountability measures, community policing and engagement, diversion programs and alternatives to incarceration and data-driven decision making and research.

Alcohol licensing legislation and licensing system in South-West Nigeria: Implications to regulate physical availability of alcohol.

The proliferation of alcohol outlets has led to increased physical availability of alcohol, harmful alcohol consumption and related harm in Nigeria. This study explored alcohol licensing legislations and licensing systems across local government councils (LGC) in South-West, Nigeria. Twenty-four LGCs across three states participated in the study. Data were generated from: (i) documents containing LGC liquor licensing legislations; and (ii) semi-structured interviews conducted with 50 LGC officials (16 legislative council clerks and 34 finance officers [director of finance, rate officers and revenue collectors]) were thematically analysed using NVivo. Nine of the sampled LGC enacted liquor licence bylaws. These mostly specified categories of liquor licences issued and licensing fees. None of the liquor licence bylaw contained regulations for controlling physical availability of alcohol and outlet density. Finance officials were licensing officers and there were no licensing committees across the LGCs. The LGC officials were unanimous in stating that generating revenue from licensing fees was the main objective for licensing alcohol outlets. The LGCs licensed alcohol outlets indiscriminately and failed to regulate outlet density. The absence of regulations for controlling outlet density has implications for physical availability of alcohol in Nigeria. Our findings strongly suggest the need to develop national liquor licensing legislation with public health objectives and implementing regulations for controlling temporal and spatial availability of alcohol. Each LGC should inaugurate a licensing committee with clearly defined roles and responsibilities for licensing stakeholders such as LGC health officials, law enforcement agencies and community members.