Public Perception of Community Policing in Tanzania

Abstract

Community policing is widely recognized as a viable means to address increasing security
challenges. However, security problems in Tanzania have increased even though the police
force has formalized and implemented a community policing structure called Ulinzi Shirikishi
(participatory security) during the past 20 years. In this paper, both qualitative and
quantitative methods are applied to analyse the community perception of Ulinzi Shirikishi to
determine its viability. Located in the concept of social capital, it reveals that even though the
police and government have favoured the use of Ulinzi Shirikishi to organize security, it is not
the most preferred security structure by local communities. Only approximately 20% of the
respondents mentioned the presence of Ulinzi Shirikishi. The most prevalent community
policing arrangements mentioned by community members are the council of elders, Nyumba
Kumi and village councils. On the basis of the findings, it should be noted that the effectiveness
of community policing is influenced by the sociopolitical and cultural values of local
communities. The most pronounced community policing structures cited by community
members are entrenched in the prevailing culture and practices of the particular community.
The governance of Ulinzi Shirikishi should take into account the cultural, social and political
practices of a community to become effective and sustainable. Thus, the success of community
policing depends on the development of social capital, such as trust, which is rooted in existing
community structures, networks and institutions. The practice of ulinzi shirikishi in Tanzania
requires the development of social capital.