INFLUENCE OF COMMUNITY POLICING ON CRIME REDUCTION THE CASE OF BUEA SOUTHWEST REGION

ABSTRACT

This research work is based on investigating the influence of community policing on crime reduction the case of buea southwest region, which is the main objective. In order to carry out this study, the researchers hypothesized of the policy does find fact to prove the influence policy in crime reduction in southwest region The instrument used for data collection was self-designed questionnaires In order for the hypothesis of this study to be tested and proven effectively, the Descriptive analysis was adopted to analyze the study which involves the use of bar charts, pie charts, percentages and correlation.

It was found that crime reduction has a strong positive relationship with policy The results revealed a positive and significant effect of policy implementation

It recommends that southwest region adopt and maintain a variety of government policy scheme schemes in order to optimize reduce crime wave in Buea and envron

CHAPTER ONE

 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Despite success in the fight against crime and terrorism in the recent years, Cameroon continues to suffer from high levels of insecurity in both urban and rural areas. The global and regional security environment are experiencing challenges and opportunities that call for new approaches to how policing is done (Fleming, 2005). The Cameroonian citizenry are experiencing serious problems with increased levels and nature of crime. Peri-urban and rural communities have not been spared either from this crime menace. Law enforcement leaders believe there are compelling reasons to change policies and the policing practice in their organizations. These reasons are ingrained in the history of policing and police research carried out during the last century, due to the changing nature of the social order, and in the evolution of crime and that affects these communities (Eck & Rosenbaum, 1994).

In this challenging environment, where police cope with an epidemic drug problem, increased threats of terrorism, gang activity, and an increase in levels of violence towards them, the concept of community policing is taking hold. Security Chiefs, in Umoja division of Nakuru County have embraced this approach to the problems of crime and have experienced enhanced performance with their limited resources and the strategy has had tremendous result, thereby attracting the attention of the National and County Governments across Cameroon. Kimeli(2010) noted that the Government has recognized the value of bringing the people back into the policing process through partnerships between the police and the community so that rising crime can be effectively dealt with. With the ever changing society, this is an approach that cannot be ignored by any Government. Communities must come together against crime, violence, and disregard for the law, and must make a commitment to partner with the police in reducing insecurity, crime and fear of crime. Chumba, (2012) asserts that police on the other hand must develop positive relationships with the communities they serve inorder to address the most urgent concerns of community members. 

Ferreira (2001) argues that the wounds caused by questionable police involvement in government suppression of the citizens of former non-democratic societies would be healed the fastest if community policing becomes a reality based on trust and cooperation. Only then will the police be able to truly serve and protect those model citizens who strive to obey the laws that their own democracy creates. An effective policing strategy must provide a framework that allows community members to participate in securing themselves, their properties and national interests. The promulgation of a new Constitution in  1996 was designed to provide the bedrock for instituting extensive security sector reforms in Cameroon after decades of demand for political and socio-economic transformation. Community policing strategies introduced almost a decade ago to enhance public confidence but which had produced little success were also set to become more effective once the reforms took hold. In recognition of the role community policing had earlier played in arresting runaway insecurity, Cameroon embedded community policing strategies into her legislation and

administrative structures. 

According to the Constitution in Article 244(e) while pronouncing the objects and functions of the National Police Service demands that the service fosters and promotes relationship with the broader society. Act, 2011, section 96(1), the service shall, in order to achieve the objects contemplated in the constitution, liaise with communities through community policing initiatives, with a view to establishing and maintaining partnership between the community and the Service, promoting communication between the service and the community, promoting co-operation between the Service and the community in fulfilling the needs of the community regarding policing, improving the rendering of police services to the community at national, county and local levels, improving transparency in the Service and accountability of the Service to the community, and promoting policing problem identification and policing problem-solving by the Service and the community.

The  National Police Service Act of 2011, and the strategic plans for Police Services have put focus on building partnership between the police and the communities. However with all this legislation, what has made it difficult and almost impossible to implement community policing initiatives as crime reduction strategy? Now, most of our communities live in small well-defined geographical areas. Our police officers on patrol and posts provide the bulk of the daily policing needs of the community, while assisted by their immediate supervisors. For community policing to be successful police officers need to increase positive contact with the community members. Currently police officers join the chiefs and assistant chiefs during ― phrase for forums, where the citizens are sensitized on Government policies and issues affecting communities are addressed. It is in these meetings that security matters are addressed by the security team and the members of a community. In some areas the police officer in charge of a Police Posts summons business owners to sensitize them on the new legislation and discuss security issues in their locations and sub locations. Most police officers on the posts and patrol are familiar figures to the community and they understand the various aspect and cultures of the communities they serve. This increased police presence is vital in establishing trust and in reducing fear of crime among community members, which in turn, help create a sense of

security. 

According to Brogden and Nijhar (2005), the meaning of communities has considerably changed worldwide, from its original simple meaning. From a fairly localized and geographically confined concept, communities are now understood as much more complex entities. All these ―communities‖ should be included when making vital security decisions concerning the larger community.  There still is very little research on the influence of community policing in reducing crime in Kenya. This study will attempt to unveil the notion of community policing and how it is understood by the community and the police in Kenya while trying to find out the impediments to its successful implementation. 

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The role the wider community played (Kihara, 2007). However, it is worth noting that since the inception of community policing in Kenya as a way of reducing crime, crime levels have still been on the rise. Cities, towns, estates and villages in Cameroon have recently been hit by a wave of violence, with insecurity accounts ranging from organized terror gangs, to violent robbery, abductions, poaching, cattle rustling, terrorism and murders.  Machakos County has not been spared of the either.

Close to a decade now, since its inception in Cameroon , community policing is again gaining prominence due to the rise of insecurity levels. This is evident with National community policing ―NyumbaKumi‖ initiative, a Kiswahili phrase meaning ten households, where the citizens are encouraged to form clusters of ten household and to know each other. Previous governments have tried to implement community policing, immediately and everywhere and this has been sometimes unproductive. Kimeli, (2010) also states ―this was a mistake because community policing in itself is diverse in nature and its intention is to focus on the security of a particular community, understand their particular security needs and develop tailor made solutions that address those needs.‖  

Mukinda (2010), notes that the Kenya Police Service faces numerous challenges when dealing with crime in Kenya. Among such challenges includes mistrust between the community and the police, which drastically increases the challenges of effective crime reduction. This is made worse by the low police-citizen ratio thus necessitating an ineffective participation of the communities in policing (UNODC, 2009).This research therefore aimed at determining the influence of community policing on crime reduction in Kenya; a case of Machakos County. It also aimed at identifying challenges facing the proper implementation of community policing. 

1.3 Research question

How can we determine the influence of community policing on crime reduction?

How can we establish influence of police-community partnership on crime reduction?

What is influencing of community policing crime prevention strategies on crime ?