The effect of proactive policing on crime prevention in Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) area

Abstract

The study was aimed at investigating the effect of proactive policing on crime prevention in Kampala Metropolitan Police area. The specific objectives were to identify the approaches used in proactive policing in Kampala Metropolitan Police area, to establish the limiting factors to proactive policing in Kampala metropolitan Police and to investigate the contributions of proactive policing to crime prevention in Kampala metropolitan area. The study reviewed relevant literature based on the research objectives. The study adopted a qualitative research design. The sample size comprised of the 15 police officers in the category of 8 senior and 7 junior positions in Kampala metropolitan police. The study employed purposive sampling techniques to select respondents that participated in the study. The study employed both primary and secondary data as methods of data collection. The researcher used interview method which included probing of the respondents to get facts and narrations of their approaches of proactive policing in Kampala metropolitan police area. The study came up with a summary of the findings, conclusions and recommendations. For instance, the study findings revealed that the study concludes that proactive policing approaches have an effect on crime prevention. The approaches used in proactive policing in Kampala Metropolitan Police area include hotspot policing, community policing, predictive policing, crime mapping, use of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV), problem-oriented policing (POP) and stop, question and frisk approach. The study found out the factors that limit proactive approaches in crime prevention, these included inadequate human resource, lack of privacy, budgetary constraints, technological expertise challenge, short lived impact for hot spot policing, inaccuracy of the data. The study revealed that contributions of policing in crime prevention included deterrence, assists in social control, strengthening of social bonds, increasing interactions with police informed decision-making and increase in surveillance. The study recommends that the parliament of Uganda should work on increasing budget allocations for various departments of Police including fuel allocations for field force Units (FFU). This is intended to ensure speedy response to crime in the community without which proactiveness to crime prevention cannot be achieved. Urban planning and construction boards should ensure that all constructions seek clearance and approval from Uganda Police force to reduce instances where fiber cables are cut and broken down by those constructing roads and houses.