Impact of Closed-Circuit Television on Police Operations in Nairobi City County, Kenya
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Date
2023-09
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is a key strategy that police services worldwide are increasingly using to improve the outcomes of their operations. However, little is known about the use and impact of the police-operated CCTV system in Nairobi City County since its implementation in mid-2015, making it difficult to say whether it is achieving its intended goals or wasting public resources. Therefore, this study aimed to assess how the CCTV system has aided police operations. The study had five specific objectives: to assess the impacts of the use of CCTV in monitoring public spaces on the outcomes of police operations, to analyse the impact of the use of CCTV to coordinate incident responses on the outcomes of police operations, to evaluate the impact of the use of CCTV in investigating crimes on the outcomes of police operations, to determine the moderating effect of CCTV policies on the relationship between CCTV use and police operations outcomes, and to examine the challenges hindering the effective use of CCTV in police operations in Nairobi County. Rational Choice Theory and Routine Activity Theory informed the study. The study used a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, integrating a cross-sectional survey design and a phenomenological design. It involved 403 police officers from police stations in Nairobi City County and those operating CCTV sampled using purposive and cluster sampling. A questionnaire, a focus group discussion guide and an interview schedule were used to collect data. Quantitative data were analysed using frequencies, percentages and binary logistic regression, while thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. The findings revealed that CCTV has significantly helped police conduct their operational tasks, reduced crimes, enhanced road safety, improved the safety of police officers and reduced the cost of police operations. However, it has not significantly quickened police response to incidents. The findings also showed that CCTV policies do not significantly moderate (b = -.001, 95% CI [-.410, .408], p = .996) the relationship between the use of CCTV and police operations outcomes. The study also found that insufficient funding was the most significant challenge hindering the effective use of the CCTV system, followed by criminals evading CCTV detection and unrealistic public expectations about CCTV. Other significant challenges included CCTV vandalism, limited CCTV coverage, inadequate CCTV operators, lack of interest among police officers in using CCTV, and unavailability of footage in some areas with CCTV cameras. The study concluded that CCTV has improved police operations in the county, but several challenges need to be addressed. The study recommends the expansion of CCTV coverage, installation of lighting in areas under CCTV surveillance, the establishment of quick response squads, the sensitisation of police officers on CCTV policies and the effective ways and benefits of using CCTV, periodic meetings between police officers operating CCTV and those in the field, publicity of successes in using CCTV, adequate funding and maintenance of the CCTV system, and publication and regular review of CCTV policies.
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Security Studies in the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences of Kenyatta University, September 2023.
Supervisors
1. Duncun Onyango Ochieng'
2. Stephen Waithaka Titus