By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
Community Policing is a strategy that focuses on developing relationships with community members. It is a highly personal philosophy of full-service policing in which an officer patrols the same area for some time and develops a partnership with citizens to identify and solve problems.
Community Policing came to Nigeria in 2004. The main aim of launching the pilot scheme was to bring the police closer to members of the public and, by extension, get prompt information that the earlier concept of this initiative resulted in the formation of vigilante groups in communities and cities across the country, ostensibly to combat rising crime waves in the face of the police’s inability to deal effectively with armed robbery and other violent crimes.
Examples of such operations include Civilian JTF in Borno State, Amotekun in Lagos State, Zemda Initiated by Zazzau Emirate, and police constabulary in some of the majority parts of the Nigerian police headquarters and divisions across the nation.
The question here is, in whose interest is Community Policing? People have different views on the question above, and their answers vary based on their perceptions. Some see it as in the government’s interest, some in the community’s interest, and some in the interest of both parties (government/community).
Firstly, the side of the community will have a more favourable view of their local police department in the sense that they will be able to check the activities of the police department with the help of the newly emerging community police. It is believed that the Nigerian police force often releases or cooperates with criminals.
Secondly, on the government side, it will help collect more accurate information from residents regarding criminal activity in the community. Many public safety agencies use technology to engage their residents better and boost their community Policing initiatives.
Implementing community policing will change the policing structure and management. The partnership that develops over time can help the police discover the underlying causes of crime within the neighbourhood. By involving the community, the police have more resources to assist in crime prevention. Officers who familiarise themselves with community members are more likely to obtain valuable information about criminals and their activities.
Some of the benefits of community Policing in Nigeria include:
First and foremost, community Policing provides an expanded Outlook on crime control and prevention. Working together, the community and the police would proffer solutions to incessant crimes and insecurity.
Similarly, community Policing improves the quality of life of everyone in a community and helps police work more efficiently and effectively in curbing the outbreak of crime in a community.
Since the implementation of community Policing in 2004, has this policy had any implications (positive or negative)? Given the nation’s current situation, we can say that the policy has achieved nothing because the level of crime is constantly increasing and penetrating all the nooks and crannies of the nation.
Community policing can only be developed in Nigeria if the government and politicians stop using it to achieve their goals. Members must undergo physical and excellent selection before joining vigilante groups, and the community must support the people who sacrifice themselves for it.