An AMISOM Police officer distributes leaflets during a meeting on community policing in Mogadishu, Somalia. The meeting was organised by the AMISOM Police component on 19 May, 2015. (Photo: Omar Abdisalam)
Community-oriented policing (COP) has emerged as a key tool for ensuring national security in Africa. Community policing offers a “whole of society” approach and involves not just the security sector but civil society and other actors in crime prevention and the realization of effective policing. COP programs can shift dynamics between police and citizens, but it is important to take local context into account while developing community policy programs. Reinforcing internal police control measures, establishing neighborhood watch committees, and integrating local traditions into policing practices are among approaches tested in Africa.
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Security Topics: Police Sector Reform