Community Policing Towards Crime Reduction In Tanzania: A Case Of Dodoma Municipality

ABSTRACT

The high rates of crime and high levels of insecurity in Tanzania present a serious challenge to democratic consolidation and the construction of a peaceful society. Experience has demonstrated that the police are not able to resolve these complex social problems by themselves; rather, a more proactive, preventative approach, which relies upon the involvement of the whole community, is necessary. In 2006, Tanzania Police Force (TPF) adapted community policing as a viable alternative to address the problems of high crime rates, trust and lack of accountability in the police. This study investigated the nature of community policing as a strategy to crime reduction and its impact on improving public security and safety. The research utilized a sample of 200 participants whose responses were collected through the survey instrument, interview and focus group discussion. Research findings signify that community policing as a strategy to crime prevention has three core elements namely; partnership, problem solving and organizational transformation. The result further reveals that the majority of police officers regardless of their rank and education are familiar with the philosophy of community policing with its core elements. Due to peculiar challenges, the community policing strategy in urban areas is yet to produce the expected results on crime prevention. The study concluded that CP is a strategy used in crime prevention where by the security agencies work in an accountable and proactive partnership with the community, so that the community participates in its own policing. The study, therefore, recommends good police community relationship is a requirement towards implementation of community policing, and that the police need be allocated with enough resources.