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Community policing the right approach
2007-09-30 10:03:56
By Henry Muhanika
Recently, Security and Public Safety Minister Harith Bakari Mwapachu admitted the fact that crime has reached alarming levels in the country, and the Government is keen to involve private sectors and members of the public in an attempt to contain the situation.
The Minister`s statement is in line with the community policing initiative already in motion though not well known by many.
Under the community policing approach practiced in a number of countries, crime prevention and management is not a preoccupation of the Police force alone, but involves other stakeholders like local government organs, Non - Governmental Organizations and the community at various levels.
Indeed the rapidly growing population, especially in urban centres where the atmosphere is conducive for crime, it is no longer possible for a limited number of policemen and women to effectively cope with criminals and maintain law and order.
Experience shows that the police force is already overwhelmed. The Minister for Security and Public Safety admits that this is so because not only is the number of criminals rising fast, but crime is now executed in more sophisticated ways, a result of misuse of technology and improved level of education.
Members of the public can participate in crime control in several ways, one being identification of criminal elements living with them. Latest events of crime busting achieved in some urban centres due to intervention of civilian informers are good examples of positive police - civilians cooperation.
Another way is formation of civilian militia units to undertake organized night patrols.
This is already taking place in crime - prone sections of some urban centres, especially big cities like Dar es Salaam and Mwanza.
What is urgently required now is to create public awareness and popularize the community policing project for their benefit.
The police force has to take a lead here, starting with changing the attitude of its officers and the common policemen and women so that they appreciate the partnership role of civilians in combating crime and enhancing general security.
And for the envisaged public awareness on community policing, the campaign must be done systematically and consistently. It will require some financial resources as well which, hopefully, the Government will set aside.
Investing in crime prevention makes sense as rampant crime incidents cause much loss to the nation in terms of property and lost human lives.
Another factor worth noting is that civilians will be willing to cooperate with police in community policing activities if the latter observe their professional ethics.
It is common knowledge that in the past civilians have been hesitant to volunteer information on criminals for fear of having their names revealed to dangerous crooks by some corrupt police officers.
What the public used to fear was vindicated a few months ago when senior police officers were arraigned in court, accused of serious crimes.
In any case, the fact that the police force is being screened systematically to weed out unethical elements within its ranks augurs well for introduction of the community policing strategy.
Henry Muhanika is a Media Consultant hmuhanika@yahoo.com
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