Peaceful Community Policing

Insecurity is a major problem in Nigeria. In the Northwest zone, it mainly manifests as armed banditry. States in the region have taken different measures, including hasty and unclear peace deals to salvage the situation. Kaduna is the latest state to react to the growing insecurity in the region through the adoption of community policing. The state is currently screening youths in its preparation to commence community policing. Generally, community policing is expected to bridge the gap that exists between the community members and security agencies. It is also intended to enhance trust between the public and the police.

As Kaduna state is aiming to tackle insecurity, it must take cognisance of some factors that may mar the successes of the programme. First, community policing must hinge on building fruitful partnerships between public and police in a way that it will benefit the security of target areas. According to the United Nations (UN) on community-oriented policing, it is an approach that not only strengthens the bond between the police and the community but also enhances the public confidence and community cooperation.

Second, policing in divided societies is a bumpy ride.  Most local conflicts in Kaduna state have ethnoreligious, communal and political ties. Others are closely-knitted in structural violence, indigene-settler dichotomies, land wars, ancient stereotypes and unresolved disputes. The purposes of community policing will be lost if its members assert their affiliations over the business of tackling local crimes and conflicts. Hasisi (2008) argues that there are tense relations between the minority and the police, especially in deeply divided societies. Such tensed relations can be followed by an unbalanced and unfair policing. Lack of objectivity and professionalism by community policing personnel may result in them hijacking the state-backed authority to promote group agenda.

In introducing community policing, Kaduna state must take note of the inherent peculiarities that exist in the state. State responses to address these local conflicts may, in turn, exacerbate them. Without adequate regulations, recruits of community policing are in a position to assert personal affinities in carrying out policing functions. For instance, there is no available explanation to the clash between some pastoralists and vigilantes in Imo state. However, reports suggest that some vigilantes were chasing cattle herders away from the state. Community policing implementing states need to do more to forestall such incidence.

State governments aiming to establish community policing structures should collaborate with security institutions in Nigeria to provide professional training for potential recruits. Without adequate training for the personnel, the establishment of effective control and proper organisation of the policing structures, the anomalies associated with vigilantism and quasi-security units in the country will be transferred to the new community policing outfits.

In order not to arm people who will end up terrorising those they should be protecting, states should establish a community of security experts. These experts will create a clear cut mode of operation, areas of jurisdiction and specific responsibilities for community policing personnel. This is in addition to the organisational-type chain of command and regulations to ensure accountability and adherence to stipulated protocols.