Determinants of police and community cooperation in policing Imenti north sub – county, Meru County

Abstract

Community policing is a global initiative which is built on the premise that the public and police should cooperate in policing to reduce the fear of crime. However, little is known about what determines the cooperation between the community and police in policing leading to success of these community policing programs. Therefore, this study sought to examine the determinants of police and community cooperation in policing Imenti North Sub-County within Meru County. The focus of the study was the five locations of Imenti North Sub- County namely; Municipality, Ntima East, Ntima West, Nyaki East and Nyaki West. The broad objective of this study was to examine the factors that determine police and community cooperation in policing Imenti North Sub-County of Meru County. The specific objectives of the study focused on: examining the factors which determine community cooperation with the police in policing Imenti North Sub-County; assessing the factors which determines police cooperation with the community in policing Imenti North Sub-County and evaluating interventional measures that will improve police and community cooperation in policing Imenti North Sub-County. Normative Sponsorship and Rational Choice theories guided the study. A descriptive research design was used in the study. The study targeted a sample of 200 respondents consisting of household heads, chiefs, police officers and Community Policing Committee members. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select respondents for the study. Data collection instruments included questionnaires and interview schedules. Data was analyzed with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 and results presented using frequency tables, bar and pie charts. The study found out that community willingness to cooperate with the police largely depends on their trust and confidence in the police. Citizens dissatisfied with the police are more reluctant to cooperate with them thus diminishes police effectiveness in controlling crime. From the police perspective, the study established that cooperation with the community is determined by individual, situational and organizational factors. The study concluded that effective community and police cooperation in policing Imenti North Sub-County is determined by police efficiency in crime control initiatives, reducing fear of crime, strengthening police legitimacy and public confidence. Based on the findings, the study recommends the implementation of community policing program and collaboration/partnerships between the community and the police in order to enhance cooperation in policing Imenti North Sub- County.