Community policing was a noble idea since its inception. Over time, we
have realised that the idea was not well timed into the Kenyan society.
many peole have no confidence in the police force and many view them as a
draconian force with ill motives. Unless the face of the police changes,
managers and coordiantors of community policing will have a herculean task.
The post-election crisis has also dealt a blow to the police force and the
perception of come communities in Kenya is that the police were used by the
disputed government to either annihilate them or traumatise them. The
force used to quell civil unrest in Kenya was not uniform. In parts of
Nyanza and rift Valley, they used live ammunition and other forms of
excessive force to blungeon the masses while in Naivasha, Limuru and other
parts of Central Province very little force was used. The police were
alleged to have taken sides, helping some communities raid other
communities and at times they stood helpless and non-committal when some
communities were raided. Unless all these apparent atrocities are
addressed and confidence restored, then all the efforts being promoted in
the name of community policing is a mere sham and will add up to no value.
Community policing was a noble idea since its inception. Over time, we have realised that the idea was not well timed into the Kenyan society. many peole have no confidence in the police force and many view them as a draconian force with ill motives. Unless the face of the police changes, managers and coordiantors of community policing will have a herculean task.
The post-election crisis has also dealt a blow to the police force and the perception of come communities in Kenya is that the police were used by the disputed government to either annihilate them or traumatise them. The force used to quell civil unrest in Kenya was not uniform. In parts of Nyanza and rift Valley, they used live ammunition and other forms of excessive force to blungeon the masses while in Naivasha, Limuru and other parts of Central Province very little force was used. The police were alleged to have taken sides, helping some communities raid other communities and at times they stood helpless and non-committal when some communities were raided. Unless all these apparent atrocities are addressed and confidence restored, then all the efforts being promoted in the name of community policing is a mere sham and will add up to no value.