Community Policing Research Articles

Community sports as a conduit for police–youth relationships: a scoping review

PurposeThis paper sought to bring together police science and sport-for-development (SFD) with a scoping review of the empirical literature on at-risk youth and police relationship-building in the context of sport interventions.Design/methodology/approachWe conducted a scoping review with a Setting, Perspective, Intervention, Comparison and Evaluation (SPICE) model to systematically examine existing studies on the involvement of police in sports-based youth development programs. A total of 1,247 records were identified, and ten empirical research studies were included in the review.FindingsThe review identifies the critical role of stakeholders, especially coaches and community leaders, in facilitating police–youth contact. Coaches often serve as boundary-spanners, building trust between police officers and at-risk youth. Police involvement in these programs is multifaceted, with officers participating as teammates, leaders or mentors. This participation helps dismantle barriers and foster positive relationships but shows that different roles are associated with different benefits and risk factors. Relatedly, the review highlights potential risks such as the hyper-criminalization of youth, emphasizing the need for program designs that promote equality and collaboration.Originality/valueThis paper provides the first significant steps toward conceptualizing the role of police within sport interventions by integrating community policing and SFD literature. We advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration between police science and SFD scholars to further develop police–youth relationships.

Community Insights on Violence against Children: Awareness, Engagement, and Predictive Variables in the Context of Hawassa City Administration

This study seeks to investigate community insights on violence against children, focusing on awareness, involvement, and predicting factors within the Hawassa City Administration in Ethiopia. The study employed a cross-sectional explanatory research design, incorporating a mixed-methods approach. Three hundred ninety-one respondents participated in this study, along with seven individuals for in-depth interviews and sixteen participants in focus groups. A single population proportion formula was employed to determine sample size, and a systematic sampling procedure was utilized to select participants from the chosen kebeles. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized to analyze the quantitative data. The qualitative data were analyzed via the thematic analysis method. The study results revealed that all respondents are aware of violence against children; for 57.3% of the respondents, sexual abuse comes to their mind first when they think of violence against children. While 71.4% of the respondents are well informed on measures they can take to address violence against children, only 47.3% of the respondents have the experience of taking measures to address violence against children. The average mean score of 2.19 indicates that the community's level of engagement in addressing violence against children is low. The analysis identified key predictors of community engagement: attitude toward violence against children (β = -.244, t(-4.286), p < 0.05), age (β = -.223, t(-3.997), p < 0.05), habit of working with community policing (β = -.220, t(-3.931), p < 0.05), and role in the existing community structure (β =.178, t(3.135), p < 0.05). The study identified various community-based protection structures, including family systems, religious institutions, educational institutions, community policing services, community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, governmental organizations, and legal frameworks. These findings suggest the need for strengthening community-based protection mechanisms while addressing the identified gaps between awareness and active engagement in child violence protection

Hisbah as a Model of Community Policing in Nigeria

As a religious police, there is an ongoing debate on whether <i>Hisbah </i>can aligned itself to the philosophy of community policing that stressed the need for the uniformed officers to engage local citizens in law enforcement activities, which shall be accomplished through flexible hierarchies and protocols, with a view to address the root causes of neighborhood crimes and disorder. In view of the above, this paper examined the nature of <i>Hisbah </i>police work in the Moslem dominated northern Nigeria where it was established with a view to understand how the elements common to all community policing approaches are observed. It was established that community policing attributes including partnership, organizational transformation and problem solving are not only found in <i>Hisbah </i>policing, but also a prerequisite without which no <i>Hisbah </i>policing can take place. In fact, the study has established that <i>Hisbah </i>policing is another model of community policing, which was ignored by the academia and criminal justice commentators. The paper posited that in the <i>Hisbah </i>community policing model, there is always a constructive engagement of the citizens in the police enterprise, especially in addressing moral decadence which often give birth to crime and disorder in the community. Finally, the study has established that community policing has been recognized by and practiced in Islamic <i>sharia states</i>, which prompted the debate on whether the philosophy of community policing was copied from the <i>Hisbah </i>policing model, being the oldest (more than 1000 years old), or it was just a mere coincidence. The debate is opened for researchers to explore.

Reluctant Spies: The Role of Neighbourhood Leaders in Indonesia’s PVE Strategy

ABSTRACT Despite a wealth of existing knowledge about intelligence gathering through community policing programs for preventing violent extremism (PVE) in Western countries, relatively little is known about how these initiatives are implemented in Muslim-majority countries: What kinds of community leaders are mobilised? What are they asked to do? How do they respond? This paper answers these questions by examining community policing initiatives for PVE in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country. It focuses on the role of a ubiquitous network of neighbourhood leaders at the centre of Indonesia’s efforts to counter threats from pro-ISIS groups. Based on qualitative data collected in two of Indonesia’s largest cities, we find that a set of social, institutional, and political factors constrain neighbourhood leaders’ ability to monitor and report extremist activity to authorities. Several of these factors are similar to the barriers identified in cross-country reporting threshold studies. However, the responsibilisation of neighbourhood leaders for PVE, mixed with their reluctance to report, produces unique adverse effects in Indonesia by incentivising the use of extra-legal measures against suspects. Our findings emphasize the need to repair public trust in law enforcement agencies as a prerequisite for effective community policing and categorise information that communities can effectively provide.

Community and police officer attitudes towards offenders with mental health conditions

ABSTRACT Offenders with mental health conditions are often viewed as dangerous and unpredictable. However, there is a large amount of inconsistency reported in attitudes towards this group and little work has focused specifically on the attitudes between community members and police officers. Using a between-subjects design, the current study aimed to explore any differences in perceptions of offenders with mental health conditions in community members and police officers, and to examine if this was impacted upon by police officer experience and gender. The sample consisted of 138 community and police officer participants who completed the Police and Community Attitudes towards Offenders with Mental Illness Scale. A significant difference was found between groups in their attitudes of offenders with mental health conditions; community members were found to hold significantly more positive attitudes then police officers. Level of police officer experience and gender did not have a significant impact on attitudes towards offenders with mental health conditions. The results add to the mixed literature base but provides a fresh insight into current attitudes in the UK. This has implications for offenders with mental health conditions given that community members and police officers are pivotal in successful reintegration and criminal justice outcomes.

Social media and the mental health of university students in Sub-saharan Africa

This study applied social learning theory to understand how university students learned new health behaviors that impact their mental health through social media use. A cross-sectional research design was adopted with quantitative research methods to conduct the study. Data were collected using online questionnaires from a sample of 453 university students in Cameroon, Uganda and Nigeria. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple hierarchical regression and structural equation modeling techniques. Findings revealed a negative significant relationship between outcome expectations and external locus of control. On the other hand, there was a positive significant relationship between external locus of control on mental health.It is recommended that content on social media platforms should aim at promoting the learning of positive health behaviors – thereby making users better, more acceptable people in society and trustworthy. Further, online community education, sensitization and policing should be conducted in order to help educate the careless learners on the dangers of social media on mental health. In terms of policy, governments should enact laws that encourage social media practitioners to use local content in order to ensure that appropriate and culturally proper information is consumed by citizens via social media.

Improving Mental Health Literacy Among Law Enforcement: A Pilot Study on Mental Health First Aid for Public Safety

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an 8-h curriculum conducted in various communities to improve mental health literacy. Given the high rates of suicide among law enforcement professionals and the frequency of interactions between police and corrections officers with the severely mentally ill, mental health literacy is a relevant concept for the law enforcement field. This study examined the effectiveness of MHFA in improving mental health literacy in a small sample (n = 56) of law enforcement employees. A preexperimental one-group posttest-only design using nonprobability convenience sampling was used to analyze secondary data from courses taught by the author. The sample was comprised of law enforcement officers in various law enforcement agencies, including community police departments and corrections employees. Based on the posttest, the course improves participants’ confidence in recognizing signs of mental illness, asking about suicide, being aware of personal views, and assisting people in obtaining support.

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

The issue of community policing has been at the forefront of burning national issue in Nigeria especially in recent times. It has been argued that the police cannot succeed in crime management without strong collaboration with members of the public. In view of the above, the study examines Community Policing and Crime Reduction in Ebonyi State: A Study of Nigeria Police Force, Ebonyi State Command Abakaliki. The study was anchored on the Participatory Theory propounded by Bohm (1996) and Freire (1997). Descriptive survey design was adopted. The population of this study was 1473 which was reduced to a sample size of 315. Data for the study were collected from primary source. Questionnaire instrument was used in data collection. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution tables and simple percentages whereas the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) was used to test the hypotheses formulated for the study. Findings revealed that community policing has significantly contributed in reducing the incidence of kidnapping in Ebonyi State (r = 0.742, p-value, 0.011); community policing has contributed in reducing the incidence of armed robbery attack in Ebonyi State (r = 0.801, p-value, 0.01); and community policing has significantly contributed in reducing incidence of rape cases in Ebonyi State (r = 0.621, p-value, 0.00). The implication of the findings is that community policing has significantly contributed in crime reduction in Ebonyi State. The study therefore recommended that: There is need for increased collaboration between thepolice and members of the public in order to contain theincidence of kidnapping in Ebonyi State; there is need for increased collaboration between the police and members of the public in order to contain the incidence of armed robbery attack in Ebonyi State; and there is need for increased collaboration between the police and members of the public in order to contain the incidence of rape cases in Ebonyi State.

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