Community Policing in Resolution of Disputes: Case of Kiambu County, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2023-11
Authors
Muriungi, Rosemary Mpinda
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Community policing is viewed as an initiative or a tool to curb crime in Kenya. As a result, the majority of studies have concentrated on community policing and crime management in society while ignoring the part it plays in resolving disputes between the police and the general population and also within societies. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of community policing in dispute resolution in Kenya's Kiambu County. The objective of this study was to examine the nature of community policing in dispute resolution in Kiambu County, evaluate the effectiveness of community policing in resolution of disputes in Kiambu County and assess the community policing measures for enhancing dispute resolution in Kiambu County. The study used the conflict transformation theory and Interest-Based Relational Approach (IBR). These theories complement each other since they bring out the context in which disputes occur, the natural nature of disputes, personal differences of the parties involved as well as how new initiatives such as community policing can be a tool for dispute resolution. The target population was a total of 1299 people drawn from the ward, Sub-County and County community policing Committees. A descriptive survey design was adopted which aided the researcher in data collection. According to Slovin's formula, 306 respondents took part in the research, stratified, purposeful, and simple random sampling technique was applied. The researcher obtained data from 306 respondents using questionnaires and interview schedule. SPSS was employed to examine quantitative data, while theme analysis was utilized to assess qualitative data. The associations between the independent and dependent variables were explored using Pearson Correlation Analysis. The relationship between the independent factors and the dependent variable was demonstrated using regression analysis. SPSS 23.0 was used to analyze the data. Tables, figures and narratives were used in data presentation. The study findings showed that: - there was a significant relationship of nature of the community policing and dispute resolution; there was a significant relationship between effectiveness of the community policing and dispute resolution and; the relationship between community policing measures and dispute resolution was not significant. The study concluded that the citizens readily volunteer genuine information that promotes public safety, peace and security. The study concluded that the number of incidents taken to court has reduced. The study further concluded that community policing has enhanced dispute resolution. The research suggested that the community must be made aware of their position in community policing so that they may understand how they can contribute to the resolution of conflicts and the promotion of peace in the neighborhood. In order for members of the community to readily provide information to the police that might aid in dispute prevention, the police must make sure that they have positive relationships with the community. In order to sustain positive interactions with the police that will strengthen community policing, the general public should be sensitized on the benefits.
Description
A Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Peace and Conflicts Management in the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences Of Kenyatta University, November, 2023
Keywords
Community Policing, Resolution, Disputes, Kiambu County, Kenya