Influence Of Intelligence- Led Policing On The Management Of Domestic Crimes In Kakamega County, Kenya.

ABSTRACT

Since the mid-1990s, the concept of crime reduction through intelligence-led policing has

continued to grow in popularity globally at a time when traditional policing activities failed

to deliver tangible reductions in crime rates. In Kenya, domestic crimes increase has not

been met with adequate prevention involving Intelligence-Led Policing unlike other kind

of crime such as drug trafficking and terrorism where intelligence policing has been

deployed immensely. Kakamega County has recorded an increasing number of domestic

crimes in the past decade which threatens socio-economic development in the County. The

overall objective of the study was to examine the practice of intelligence led policing with

a particular focus on the management of domestic crimes in Kakamega County. The

specific objectives were to: examine the nature of intelligence led policing in Kakamega

county, assess the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing in the management of domestic

crimes in Kakamega county, and determine the challenges that intelligence-led policing

encounter in Kakamega county. The study was guided by rational choice and social control

theories. The study employed a descriptive survey design and the target population

consisted of household heads, both senior and junior police officers, private security firms,

chiefs and assistant county commissioners in Kakamega County. Purposive sampling

technique was used to select senior police officers namely OCPD, DCIO, OCS, private

security firms, assistant county commissioners and chiefs while random sampling

technique was used to select junior police officers and household heads. In total, the

sample respondents were 293. Primary data was collected through interviews and

questionnaires while secondary data was collected from books, internet, journals and

newspapers. Validity was determined using content validity while reliability was done

using test retest method. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistic and it

was presented in form of tables and charts. The findings revealed that Intelligence-Led

Policing in Kakamega County was characterized by criminal informer, targeting of

criminals unlike particular crime and holistic investigation of crimes using results-oriented

tactics and strategies. Intelligence-Led Policing is effective in the management of crime

through sharing of intelligence collected and this has resulted to strengthen of relationship

with the community, safety of officer increasing and effort of police is directed based on

the threat of information making operation more efficient. There was significant

association between crime management and Intelligence-Led Policing with (xi6, 0.01 =

61.784), P

been hampered by lack of political will, limited financial resources to acquire equipment

and technology, lack of trust and cooperation from civilians and corruption among police

officers. The study recommends that government needs to commit more resources toward

Intelligence-Led Policing so that police officers can be trained, equipment and technology

can be procured. Further, there is need for police officers to come up with realistic

performance indicator through the use oflntelligence-Led Policing products. Further study

should focus on the opportunities and threat of Intelligence-Led Policing in the