Learning through community policing programme for crime reduction : a case of Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District, Uganda

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to understand how community members learn through community policing programs in order to reduce crimes in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District. A qualitative approach was adopted, using a descriptive case study design. Data were collected through interviews, observations and focus group discussions. Data were analysed using thematic data analysis. The study reveals that members of the community have varying learning needs in regard to crime reduction and these are influenced by the nature of environment they live in, age, gender and level of literacy. The study highlights that the learning needs of community members in Kasangati Town Council rotated around understanding procedures of reporting criminal cases, self-defense techniques and laws governing crime and crime prevention. However, the study shows that some of the content taught in community policing programme varied from what community members desired. The content taught included road traffic rules and regulations, personal and property safety, gender roles, family and children’s issues as well as neighborhood watch. This content was determined by the police community policing facilitators basing on the frequently reported cases at police. The study further illustrates that the content was delivered using various methods such as lecture, demonstration, role plays and discussion. Community members were able to use the knowledge and skills obtained to develop voluntary community security initiatives, increase vigilance, independently tackle challenges related to insecurity in their community, regularly report crime cases and train fellow community members about crime reduction. The conclusion is that although the content taught in community policing is determined by the police, the interaction with the community imbedded in the programme enhances learning, builds a stronger bond between the community and the police and creates change of behaviours that lead to crime reduction within the community.