Assessment of Community Policing as a Crime Reduction Strategy by the Police Force in Tanzania: The Case of Zanzibar

Mussa, Mussa Ali (2019) Assessment of Community Policing as a Crime Reduction Strategy by the Police Force in Tanzania: The Case of Zanzibar. ["eprint_fieldopt_thesis_type_phd" not defined] thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

This study aimed to assess the contribution of community policing as a crime reduction strategy by the police force in Tanzania with particular reference to Zanzibar. The main Objective of the study was to assess the contribution of community policing initiatives toward crime reduction. The study was informed by the System theory, Routine activity theory and Community policing theory. It adopted descriptive research design where both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used. Questionnaires, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, non-participant observations and documentary reviews were the data collection methods used. The sample size was 400 participants. The results from the study showed that community policing initiatives and interventions are useful contributors to crime prevention in Tanzania. Initiatives by civilian security patrol groups were more successful than other interventions. Such initiatives promoted fruitful interaction between police officers and civilians. Inadequate knowledge, absence of clear guidelines and strategies, poor public advocacy programs, unpreparedness of police officers, financial constraints, selfish inclinations of some of politicians and differences in political ideologies were the main challenges holding back the smooth implementation of community policing initiatives. The study concluded that, there is a close relationship between community policing and community social welfare. Whereas in many cases the members of the community were ready to cooperate, police officers were not ready to interact with and support the community in crime prevention. The study recommended that, relevant and adquate knowledge, provision of adequate budget and implementable community policing policy should be improved and supported at all levels of national governance and administration.

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