Community policing in fragile and conflict-affected states (GSDRC Helpdesk Research Report 997)

Abstract

Query Identify examples of 'community policing' in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS). Define how different groups use the term 'community policing' and where possible, identify examples where police services engaging with communities or community leaders in FCAS have led to safer communities. Overview Community policing is the idea of policing in partnership with community, and the strategy for implementing this partnership. Beyond this rudimentary definition, there is no common agreement on what community policing entails. Experience of various forms of community policing in different fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS) have had mixed results – there have been some benefits, though the programmes have not been as transformative as hoped, and existing police culture and community relations have often been the critical impediment. Case studies from Afghanistan, Kenya and Sierra Leone identify benefits from community policing (though the contents of these programmes varied)