ASSESSING THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY POLICING IN CRIME

PREVENTION: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS.THE CASE OF BAHIL

ADARASH SUB-CITY, HAWASSA, ETHIOPIA

MA THESIS

By
MESAY FIKRU BALCHA

HAWASSA UNIVERSITY
College of Law and Governance

Hawassa, Ethiopia
May, 2014
 Title Page

ASSESSING THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY POLICING IN CRIME PREVENTION:

CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS.THE CASE OF BAHIL ADARASH SUB-CITY,
HAWASSA, ETHIOPIA

By
MESAY FIKRU BALCHA

Main Advisor: Ato Melese Milossa (Ph.D candidate)

Co-Advisor: Ato Tolossa Mamuye (MA)

Thesis Submitted to the School of Governance and Development Studies,

HAWASSA UNIVERSITY
College of Law and Governance

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Arts in Governance
and Development Studies (specialization: Governance)

Hawassa University
May, 2014

Hawassa

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 ASSESSING THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY POLICING IN CRIME PREVENTION:
CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS.THE CASE OF BAHIL ADARASH SUB-CITY,
HAWASSA, ETHIOPIA

MESAY FIKRU BALCHA

BOARD OF EXAMINERS

__________________________ ___________________________
Main Advisor Name Signature

__________________________ ___________________________
Co-Advisor Name Signature

__________________________ ___________________________
Chairperson Name Signature

_____________________________ ___________________________
External Examiner Name Signature

__________________________ ____________________________
Internal Examiner Name Signature

_______________________ ____________________________
SGS Signature

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 Approval Sheet
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES
HAWASSA UNIVERSITY
ADVISORS’ APPROVAL SHEET

This is to certify that the thesis entitled “Assessing the Role of Community Policing in Crime
Prevention: Challenges and Prospects. The Case of Bahil Adarash Sub-City, Hawassa,
Ethiopia” submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts
with specialization in Governance, the Graduate Program of the School of Governance and
Development Studies, and has been carried out by Mesay Fikru Balcha, under my supervision.
Therefore I recommend that the student has fulfilled the requirements, and hence hereby can
submit the thesis to the department.

______________________ _________________ ______________

Main Advisor Signature Date

______________________ ________________ ______________

Co-Advisor Signature Date

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 Dedication

This study is dedicated to my mother, Mengestie Gobena and my Father Fikru Balcha, as
they always insisted on me to continue my education that will be my strength and my
security.

THANK YOU AND LOVE YOU!

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 Declaration

I, the undersigned hereby, declare that the thesis –Assessing the Role of Community Policing
in Crime Prevention: Challenges and Prospects. The case of Bahil Adarash Sub City,
Hawassa, Ethiopia is the outcome of my work and all sources of materials used for this thesis
have been duly acknowledged.
This thesis has been submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of M.A degree in
Governance and Development Studies at School of Graduate Studies, Hawassa University and is
deposited at the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the library. I
solemnly declare that this thesis is not submitted to any other institution anywhere for the award
of any academic Degree, Diploma, or Certificate.
Brief quotations from this thesis are allowable without special permission provided that an
accurate acknowledgement of the source is made. Requests for permission for extended
quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the
Head of the Department of Governance and Development Studies or the Dean of the School of
Graduate Studies when the proposed use of material is in the interests of scholarship. In all other
instances, however, permission must be obtained from the author.

Name: Mesay Fikru Balcha

Signature: _________________
Place: Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
Date of Submission: Jun, 2014

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 Aknowledgment

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Ato Melese Milossa (PhD candidate), my

instructor for the last two years and my thesis advisor, for his unreserved encouragement,

guidance, constructive comments and useful suggestions. Without his unwavering support, the

development and completion of my thesis would have been impossible. I also like to extend my

appreciation to my co adviser Ato Tolosa Mamuye(MA) for his valuable encouragement.

In addition, I like to express my thanks to Bahil Adarash sub city police department for

supporting me in providing all necessary information. I also extend my sincere appreciation for

household and police respondents for their patience in filing the questionnaire. I also grateful for

Chief Inspector Sisay Daka, W/o Tigest Desta, Ato Equar Araya, Inspector kifle Alemu, and

Ato Tibebu Zerihun.

Last but not least, my heartfelt gratitude goes to my wife Tigest Getachew and my son Martin

Mesay for their patience, unreserved encouragement and affection.

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Abbrevations

BAPD Bahil Adarash Police Department

BJA Bureau of Justice Assistance
CP Community Policing
CPS Community policing site
CSA Central Statistics Authority
EC Ethiopian Calendar
FGD Focus Group Discussion
NCPI National Crime Prevention Institute of the University of Louisville
NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations
SNNPRS South Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State

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Table of Content

Contents
Title Page........................................................................................................................................................ i

Approval Sheet ............................................................................................................................................. iii

______________________ ________________ ______________ .................................................. iii

Dedication .................................................................................................................................................... iv

Declaration .................................................................................................................................................... v

Aknowledgment ........................................................................................................................................... vi

Abbrevations ............................................................................................................................................... vii

Table of Content ........................................................................................................................................ viii

List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................ xi

List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................. xii

List of Tables in Appendix ........................................................................................................................... xii

Abstract .......................................................................................................................................................xiii

CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................................................... 1

1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1. Background of the Study .................................................................................................. 1

1.2. Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................................ 2

1.3. Objective of the Study ........................................................................................................................... 4

1.3.1. General Objective .............................................................................................................. 4

1.3.2. Specific Objectives of the Study ....................................................................................... 4

1.4 Research Questions to be Addressed ............................................................................................... 4

1.5. Significance of the Study ........................................................................................................................ 4

1.6 Scope ....................................................................................................................................................... 5

1.7 Limitation of the Study............................................................................................................................ 5

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1.8 Organization of the Study ....................................................................................................................... 5

1.9. Definition of Operational Terms ............................................................................................................ 5

1.9.1. Community ........................................................................................................................ 5

1.9.2. Policing.............................................................................................................................. 6

1.9.3. Police ................................................................................................................................. 6

1.9.4. Community Partnership..................................................................................................... 7

1.9.5. Community Policing ......................................................................................................... 7

1.9.6. Crime ................................................................................................................................. 6

1.9.7 Crime Prevention................................................................................................................ 7

CHAPTER TWO .............................................................................................................................................. 9

2. Review of Related Literature ................................................................................................................ 9

2.1. Conceptualizing Community Policing..................................................................................................... 9

2.2. Characteristics of Community Policing ................................................................................................ 10

2.3. Principles of Community Policing ........................................................................................................ 12

2.4. Philosophy and Organizational Strategy .............................................................................................. 13

2.5. Elements of Community Policing ......................................................................................................... 18

2.5.1 Organizational Elements .................................................................................................. 18

2.5.2 Tactical Elements ............................................................................................................. 19

2.5.3 External Elements of Community Policing ...................................................................... 20

2.6. Benefits of Community Policing ........................................................................................................... 20

2.6.1 Community Specific Benefits .......................................................................................... 21

2.6.2 Police Specific Benefits ................................................................................................... 21

2.6.3 Community and Police shared Benefits ........................................................................... 22

2.7. Criteria for Evaluation of the Successes of Community Policing ......................................................... 22

2.8. Conceptualizing Crime Prevention....................................................................................................... 23

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 2.8.1. Crime Prevention and Community Safety ...................................................................... 23

2.9. Causes of Crime.................................................................................................................................... 24

2.10. The basic principles underlying Guidelines for the Prevention of Crime ...................................... 25

2.11. Type of Crime Prevention .................................................................................................................. 26

2.12. Crime Prevention Models .................................................................................................................. 27

2.13. Community Policing and Crime Prevention ....................................................................................... 30

2.14. Conceptual Framework of the Study ................................................................................................. 31

CHAPTER THREE: ......................................................................................................................................... 33

3. Research Methodology ....................................................................................................................... 33

3.1. Description of the Study Area .............................................................................................................. 33

3.2 Study Design.......................................................................................................................................... 37

3.3 Data Sources ......................................................................................................................................... 37

3.4 Sample Size Determination and Sampling Procedures ......................................................................... 37

3.4.1 Sample Size Determination .............................................................................................. 37

3.4.2 Sampling Procedures ........................................................................................................ 37

3.4 Sampling Techniques ............................................................................................................................ 40

3.5 Data Collection Instruments and Methods ........................................................................................... 41

3.6 Methods of Data Analysis ..................................................................................................................... 42

CHAPTER FOUR ........................................................................................................................................... 43

4. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION ................................................................................................................ 43

4.1. The Background Characteristics of Respondents ................................................................................ 43

4.1.1. The Demographic Characteristics of the Police .............................................................. 43

4.1.2. The Demographic Characteristics of the Household Respondents ................................. 45

4.2. Analysis of Data ................................................................................................................................ 46

CHAPTER FIVE ............................................................................................................................................. 70

5. Summary and Recommedation .............................................................................................................. 70

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 5.1. Summary ............................................................................................................................ 70

5.2. Recommendation ................................................................................................................ 72

References .................................................................................................................................................. 74

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH ............................................................................................................................... 94

List of Tables

Table 1: Percentage and Frequency Distribution of Police Respondents Demographic Characteristics in

Bahil Adarash sub city, March 2014, (n = 56) ........................................................................................... 43
Table 2: Percentage distribution of respondents in years of stay in the study area, March 2014, (n= 64) 45
Table 3: Percentage distribution of community awareness in the study area, April, 2014(n= 64) ............ 46
Table 4: Percentage distribution of respondents on community policing role in crime prevention in the
study area, April, 2014 (n=120) ................................................................................................................. 48
Table 5: Percentage response on the existence of regular forum in the study area, April 2014 (n= 64)... 50
Table 6: Percentage distribution of community role in crime prevention in the study area, .................... 51
Table 7: Frequency and percentage distribution of CP role and proactive crime prevention in the study
area, April, 2014 (n= 64)............................................................................................................................. 53
Table 8: Percentage and frequency of circumstances affecting police community relationship in the study
area, April 2014 (n= 120)............................................................................................................................ 57
Table 9: Percentage response of household on CP applicability in the study area, April 2014 (n= 64) ... 58
Table 10: Responses of household in frequency and percentage, April, 2014 (n= 64) ............................... 59
Table 11: Percentage and frequency distribution of police response in capability and training in the
study area April, 2014 (n=56) .................................................................................................................... 62

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Table 12: percentage and frequency distribution of police capacity and willingness in the study area,
April, 2014 (n= 56) ...................................................................................................................................... 64
Table 13: Percentage of community role in crime prevention as perceived by the police in the study area,
April, 2014 (n= 56) ...................................................................................................................................... 67
Table 14: Percentage response on success and challenges of CP crime prevention in Bahil Adarash sub
city, April 2014 (n= 120) ............................................................................................................................. 67

List of Figures

Figure 1: Conceptual Frame Work of the Study Based on Related Review Literature .............................. 32
Figure 2: Bahil Adarash Sub City Community Policing Structure ............................................................. 35
Figure 3: Bahil Adarash Sub City Administrative Map .............................................................................. 36
Figure 4: Schematic presentation of the Sampling Design.......................................................................... 40
Figure 5: Percentage distribution of household respondents by sex in the study area, April 2014, (n= 64)
.................................................................................................................................................................... 46
Figure 6: Percentage of police capacity in educating the community, April, 2014 (n= 56) ....................... 47
Figure 7: Frequency and Percentage distribution of community engagement in crime prevention activities
in the study area, April, 2014 (n= 64) ......................................................................................................... 49
Figure 8: Frequency and percentage of community commitment in the study area, April, 2014(n=64) ... 52
Figure 9: Frequency and percentage distribution of police-community relationship in the study area,
April, 2014 (n= 56) ...................................................................................................................................... 53
Figure 10: Percentage and frequency distribution of respondents on CP pave a way for proactive measure
to prevent crime in the study area, April 2014 (n=56) ................................................................................ 55
Figure 11: Frequency and percentage distribution of household awareness on consequence of crime in
the study area, April, 2014 (n= 120) ........................................................................................................... 56
Figure 12: Level of commitment of CP officers in preventing crime in the study area, April 2014 (n= 64)
.................................................................................................................................................................... 58
Figure 13: Level of response of CP in providing early warning to crime prevention, April, 2014 (n= 64) 61
Figure 14: Percentage distribution of successful CP prospect in the study area, April 2014 (n= 64) ...... 61
Figure 15: Percentage and frequency distribution of respondents on number of police assigned in Bahil
Adarash sub city, April, 2014 (n = 120) ...................................................................................................... 65
Figure 16: Percentage rate of crime reduction through community policing in Bahil Adarash sub city,
April 2014(n= 56) ........................................................................................................................................ 66

List of Tables in Appendix

Table 1; List of Key Informant Interview Participants…………………………………………80

xii
 Abstract
The purpose and the significance of this study is to investigate and understand the role,
challenges and prospects of community policing in crime prevention endeavor in Bahil Adarash
sub city of Hawassa city administration. The study would be helpful for community policing
implementers and for those needs to support community policing crime prevention activities in
the sub city. The study made use of primary and secondary data. The data generated through
areas with specific reference to questionnaire for households and polices, Key Informant
Interview (KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). This was supplemented by secondary data
collected from different published and unpublished sources. Both qualitative and quantitative
approaches were employed in analyzing the data collected from different sources. A total of 120
sample respondents (64 household and 56 polices) were used. The study area was purposively
selected and community policing and site were selected through simple random sampling.
Finally out of the total 668 households, the researcher selects 10 % (64) by systematic sampling.
A total of 56 police, of which 49 male and 7 female were taken as a target population. The role
of community policing in crime prevention is positively received by 75.83 percent respondents
and most of replied as crime reduced in Bahil Adarash sub city. The most common challenges in
the implementation of community policing crime prevention in Bahil Adarash sub city were;
peoples who hides criminals, presence of many illegal chate chewing and other drug use houses,
the existence of abundant local and modern liquor houses, anarchic situation in the night clubs,
corrupt police officials, insufficient number and lack of trained police force, rural urban
migration and extreme poverty. Furthermore, imbalanced efficiency between police members,
passive participation by most police members, the existence of dark area in some places, logistic
problems like absence of vehicles, computers and stationeries and mostly once criminals became
under custody inability to punish them by the court of law, were the major hindering factors of
community policing implementation efforts in tackling crime.

Key words; community policing, crime prevention, polices, community, participation

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 CHAPTER ONE

1. Introduction
1.1. Background of the Study
Crime causes economic, health, well being, psychological effects on victims and society at larg.
Crime is a serious social problem that directly reduces the quality of the life of individuals and
the community (O‘Block et al., 1991:8). Beside, the police are the most visible institution
devoted in fighting crime twenty four hour a day and seven days a week. In support of this idea,
Morgan states, the primary function of police is concerned with preventing crime and catching
criminals (Morgan 1996:1). So the primary function of police is to prevent and detect crime.
However, the police without the lively involvement of the community face difficulty in tackling
crime. Palmiotto (2000) further strengthens the idea by saying, ‘the police cannot succeed in
solving or preventing crime without the assistance of the community’. Thus to prevent crime
successfully there must be community partnership and involvement.
This fact indicates the need of involving the community, the local government and the police to
work together to tackle crime. Therefore, community policing has become a major issue for
many countries in the world. As Abebe (cited in Taye Kejia dissertation 2011) states in his
paper: ‘Community policing is the best way of policing currently; working together with the
community on the basis of partnership should be the primary concern of the police’ (Abebe,
2000:4).
The Ethiopia government announced the police service should be based on the participation of
the people, this was mentioned in the federal police formation no 207/92 (Ethiopian Federal
police formation manual). Consequently it shows the concern of the government in establishing
community policing in Ethiopia.
There has been an attempt to implement the community policing philosophy in the SNNPRS,
Hawassa city administration and Bahil adarash sub city. This has involved the creation of an
implementation plan regarding community policing, giving workshop training for sub city’s
police department heads and station commanders, including various parts of community and
institution and organization(Taye Kejia 2011, pp-4). Furthermore, the establishment of
community policing structure from household level often referred as family police to city

1
community policing Advisory council has been taken as an attempt to implement community
policing in Hawassa city as a whole and Bahil Adarash sub city in particular.
The Bahil Adarash sub city is highly prone to crime occurrence because of the availability of
illegal chat chewing houses, secret areas used for drug selling, many night clubs which caused
group and individual fighting, absence of street light and presence of slums in some areas created
suitable situation for criminals, low initiative of the community to collaborate with the police in
exposing criminals, corrupt police officials and in fact the inadequate number of police force
(BAPD and own observation).
Aforementioned reasons created a fertile ground for the escalation of crime in the sub city. So as
to preventing crime in the area needs the collaboration of all section of the society, the police and
sub city administration, hence, community policing. Based on this new idea of community
policing (CP), Bahil adarash police have been trying to implement the community policing
philosophy in crime prevention schemes in order to tackle the ever-increasing crime situations in
the sub city.

2. Statement of the Problem

According to the Hawassa city municipal police head office and the Bahil adarash police
department (BAPD) indicate that there had been a huge number of diversified, complex and
serious crimes recorded in the previous three years. In addition, there has been an increase in
crime in both the number of crimes committed and in their complexity. As well, the police have
long lists of causes for the problems, include a rapid urbanization rate, a high increase in street
children, unemployment and drug abuse (Hawassa city police department). It is clear that in
Hawassa as a whole and Bahil adarash in particular is facing social problems especially
occurrence of complex crime. Furthermore the continually changing tactics of criminals made
crime more complex.

The most common, serious and repeated crimes committed are: property theft, domestic
violence, abuse of child labor, drug abuse, burglary and other social disorders like group
fighting.
The fight against crime, fear of crime and situations of disorder in the sub city are increased
compared to 2004(EC) with 61 crimes and 67 crimes in 2005(EC) through strengthening the
police-community relation and socio-economic development. However, based on the information

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gathered from Bahil Adarash police department (BAPD) ‘the magnitude, complexity and rate of
crime were increasing’. Even though the police are attempting to fully control crime and allay
the fears of the community, it is getting worse due to their small number. Furthermore, the bad
levels of socio-economic status of some areas like tarekegn sefer (slum area of the sub-city)
takes part in escalating crime. Some members of community hesitation in exposing criminals and
even hiding them from the police sight also contributed for rise of crime (BAPD 2006EC).
In addition to the above, Taye Kejia tried to note that the police lack skill in implementing
community policing. As he quoted, ‘those who are engaged in crime prevention have not been
involved in to community policing planning and implementation workshop training. Even those
who have attended training courses do not have a clear understanding of the theoretical concepts
of community policing and its practical aspects’ (Taye Kejia 2011,pp 4). As to Shiffa (cited in
Taye Kejia dissertation), ‘Most of the activities were a ”one-off” campaign and neither consistent
nor supported by prior research. Most plans of the town police regarding community policing are
only a plan on paper (Shiffa, 2005:61–62)’. Thus, Taye Kejia argues that the Hawassa police
‘lack community policing skills’. Whereas Shiffa debate that not only lack of community
policing skills, but also ‘its ill implementation’ were manifested in Hawassa as a whole and Bahil
Adarash sub city in particular.
Hence, one may ask whether community policing has been implemented to its full potential. The
evidence shows that the strategy has to be more researched to asses to what extent the continuing
implementation of community policing played its role in preventing crime and its prospects and
challenges. Besides, not enough research either pre or post implementation of CP conducted in
case of Bahil adarash sub city. Furthermore, since the researcher was born and still lives in the
sub city, he needs to contribute something useful for the well being and safety of the community.
This very fact triggers one‘s desire to conduct research in order to assess the role of community
policing in preventing crime and its challenges that affect the implementation as well as its
prospect in Bahil Adarash sub city.

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1.3. Objective of the Study
1.3.1. General Objective
The general objective of the study is to assess the role of community policing in crime
prevention through point out the challenge it faces and its prospects in Bahil adarash sub city
administration of Hawassa.

1.3.2. Specific Objectives of the Study

The study will have the following specific objectives;
 Assess the role of community policing in crime prevention in Bahil adarash sub city
 Evaluate the success of the Bahil adarash sub city community policing
 Analyze the challenges of community policing
 Illuminate the prospect of community policing in the sub city
 Provide comments to alleviate obstacles for efficient implementation of community
policing in Bahil Adarash sub city.

1.4.Research Questions to be Addressed

In the end, the study poses the following basic questions up on which the entire research
undertakings will attempt to answer.
What are the silent features of community policing in crime prevention?
How far the practice of community policing in the sub city helped in preventing and
reducing crime?
What are/were the critical challenges of community policing in Bahil adarash sub city?
How the prospect of community policing in the Bahil adarash sub city can be explained?
What should be done to alleviate the obstacles that hinder efficient implementation of
community policing?

1.5. Significance of the Study

The overall findings of the study may contribute in:
 Providing viable experience and direction in fighting crime through community policing
in Hawassa city in general and the study area in particular.
 Understanding the challenges of community policing in other sub cities of Hawassa in
general and the Bahil adarash sub city in particular.

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Hence the results of the study, based on its objectives, might become valuable for those
implementers in the community policing and police sector in general.

1.6 Scope
The scope of the study delimited to the role, challenges and prospects of community policing
implementation in Bahil adarash sub city of Hawassa city Administration. Furthermore, it is also
delimited to the households of two purposively selected kebeles, Andinet and Adare, as well as
all polices of the Bahil Adarash sub city.

1.7 Limitation of the Study

The study would have been sounder if it includes all sub cities found in Hawassa city
administration. However, for the sake of its manageability and because of scarcity of financial
resources, it is delimited to Bahil adarash sub city.

1.8 Organization of the Study

This thesis is structured as follows: Chapter one presents the introduction part, statement of the
problem, objective of the study, Research questions and significance of the study, scope and
limitation of the study as well as definition of operational terms. The second chapter deals with a
review of related literature on community policing concepts like characteristics, roles, principles
and philosophy. In addition, crime prevention principles and models also treated in this chapter.
The third chapter explains methodology of the research, data collection & sampling techniques.
The fourth chapter describes the results (findings) and discussion of the descriptive statistics. The
fifth and the final chapter provide summary, conclusion and recommendations.

1.9. Definition of Operational Terms

1.9.1. Community
Some conceive community as a geographic area and others look community as an area of
common life. The following definitions shows the essence of community,

According to UN office on drugs and crime, “community” can refer to small neighborhoods,
areas within a city, or small villages or towns, or in some cases groups of citizens with particular
concerns (criminal justice hand book series, 2010:2). In addition as Taye Kejia stated in his
dissertation, ‘A community is defined as any group of people which is likely to have a number of

5
characteristics in common such as, geographical area, occupation, ethnicity, economic status,
shared government and a common cultural and historical heritage’ (Taye Kejia,2011:7).
Moreover, as stated by Oliver (2004:237), ‘community is the term that refers to a group of
people who share three things: they live in a geographically distinct area (such as a city or town),
they share cultural characteristics, attitudes and lifestyles and they interact with one another on a
sustained basis.
Thus, community could be understood as group of people sharing the same city, similar social
class, having same culture, sharing the same objectives and have similar psychological makeup.

1.9.2. Crime
Crime is an illegal activity which causes physical or moral injuries on others. According to the
Ethiopian criminal code of 2006, Article 23, sub article 1, crime is an act which is prohibited and
made punishable by law (Ethiopia criminal code). Crime is the omission of a duty that makes the
offender liable to punishment by law or a behavior that is prohibited, as well as behavior or an
act that is required by law (Sullivan, 2002:302; Stevens, 2003:37; Crowe, 2000:15).

1.9.3. Policing
Policing is an activity directed towards the prevalence of justice and security by the police or
others. According to Wilson and Brewer (1995:316), ‘policing is concerned with diverse
collection of issues and practices. It is also a social service created by human beings, rendered by
human beings to human beings in an environment shaped by human beings’. Policing is a means
to justice and to the security of individual liberty (Stevens, 2003:22). Thus, policing is a service
delivered by a police to the community for their own well being. In addition the police were not
the only institution in policing activity, the community, concerned government agencies and
nongovernmental organization also have role.

1.9.4. Police
Police is a trained person in crime prevention and investigation for the purpose of maintaining
the peace and security of the community. Beside above mentioned definition, Stevens described
the police as, ‘the force that has the power to exercise reasonable control over persons and
property within its jurisdiction, in the interests of general security, health, safety, morals and
welfare, except where legally prohibited’ (Stevens, 2003:22). According to the National Crime
Prevention Institute of the University of Louisville (NCPI, 2001:33–34) the people use the police

6
as a means to achieve and maintain order. Their efforts are founded on principles of public
services and ultimate responsibility to the public. So police is a trained person in policing
activities like preventing crime, enforce the law and maintain public order to ensure community
safety.

1.9.5. Community Partnership

Community partnership is a flexible term referring to any combination of neighbourhood
residents, schools, churches, businesses, community-based organizations, elected officials and
government agencies who are working co-operatively with the police to resolve identified
problems. It is also a state or condition of being a partner, of participation, association, or joint
interest of the relationship subsisting between partners (Taye Kejia 2010 pp 9). Thus, in light of
the research community partnership could be understood as the cooperation of any form
community with the police or other organization or institutions.

1.9.6. Community Policing

Community policing involve the importance of active partnership between the police, civil
societies, and other agencies of government work together in identifying and solving problems to
improve the overall quality of life as whole and crime prevention in particular.
As stated by Deluca and Stone (1994:85): ―Community policing is the desire to bring policing
closer to citizens whose lives and property are supposed to be protected.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA: 1994) states: ‘Community policing is democracy in
action. It requires the active participation of local government, civic and business leaders, public
and private agencies, residents, churches, schools and hospitals. All who share a concern for the
welfare of the neighbourhood should work together with police officers. The above-mentioned
bodies must take a unified stand against crime, violence and disregard for the law and must make
a commitment to increasing crime prevention and intervention activities (BJA 1994:4).

1.9.7. Crime Prevention

Crime prevention is an attempt to eliminate crime either prior to the initial occurrence or before
further activity (Lab, 1997:19). According to the NCPI, crime prevention is a practical method
for the direct control of crime. It involves analyzing criminal attack methods and designing
specific actions within the environments of potential victims to reduce criminal opportunities and
manage the crime risk (NCPI, 2001:7).

7
By and large purpose of community policing is to prevent crime effectively through the full
involvement of citizens. This may lead to a situation where the citizens of a country feel free to
live and reduce fear of crime.

8
 CHAPTER TWO

3. Review of Related Literature

This chapter consists of the review literature part of the research. It contains definitions of
operational terms conceptualizing of community policing and crime prevention, characteristics,
principles, philosophy, elements of community policing. In addition it also deals with cause
crime, models, and principles of crime prevention. Finally, the conceptual frame work of the
study based on the review literature is also established.

2.1. Conceptualizing Community Policing

Community policing has been variously defined; some by purpose and functions, others by
structure and programs, still others as a philosophy. The Conceptual definitions concerning
community policing given by different writers and institutions. Thus, let’s see some of them;
Peak and Glenor openly acknowledged that there is a conspicuous lack of conceptual clarity and
agreement in community policing as an idea or program, “For more than 15 years police
agencies have been adopting new strategies for delivering services to their citizenry. These new
strategies have been called community policing, community oriented policing, problem oriented
policing, neighborhood oriented policing, problem solving policing, and a host of other things.
What these names mean is often difficult to determine. A department that asserts that it is
undertaking community policing may, under close scrutiny, be implementing a strategy that is
based on a problem oriented approach. A department that claims to be engaged in problem
solving may be doing more to smooth over police community relations than to address persistent
problem.” (Peak and Glensor, 1996: xxiii)
According to U.S department of justice office of community oriented policing, ‘Community
policing is a philosophy that promotes organizational strategies, which support the systematic
use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques, to proactively address the immediate
conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime
(Holloway, Katy, Trevor Bennet and David P. Farington, 2008)..
According to Community Policing to Reduce and Prevent Violence against Women training
Curriculum and Resource Guide, ‘Community policing is an organization-wide philosophy and
management approach that promotes partnerships, proactive problem solving, and community

9
engagement to address the causes of crime, the fear of crime, and other community issues’
(Police executive research forum, 2008:7).
Similarly, Jenny Coquilhant defined community policing as “A philosophy of policing that
promotes community-based problem solving strategies to address the underlying causes of crime
and disorder and fear of crime and provides reassurance. It is a process by which crime control is
shared, or co-produced with the public, and a means of developing communication with the
public thus enhancing the quality of life of local communities and building police legitimacy”
(Jenny Coquilhat, 2008:17)
The above literature generally conceptualizes the definitions of community policing as positive
police community relationship, which are achieved through community engagement and by
emphasizing collaboration and partnership.

2.2. Characteristics of Community Policing

The following are important characteristics on the philosophy of community policing collected
from a number of sources.
Police are obliged to provide a quality policing service which has to be efficient and effective
often referred as service orientation. As it described in the works of Trojanowicz and
Bucqueroux (1994:9), ‘there must be equity in service delivery’. This means a principle in the
delivery of police service recognizes that all citizens will have to receive effective police service,
regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religious belief, income, sexual preferences and other
differences. Service orientation further explained by St. Petersburg police department (1992:35)
as, to be "service-oriented" is to be "other-oriented", not in the sense of sacrificing your needs for
someone else, but rather, in consideration of needs that are inclusive of both yours and others. It
is a win-win proposition. To "serve" is to seek to "Include", rather than to "exclude." It is the
awareness of and respect for diversity, individual differences, and basic human rights.
Community policing also characterized by Community partnership, which means adopting a
policing perspective that exceeds the standard law enforcement emphasis (Skogan, 2004: xxiv).
Community policing encourages the police and other agencies to develop partnerships with
community for constructive information sharing and effective policing activity. As Lab
(2004:201) says ‘partnerships appear under a variety of headings and involve police in a wide
range of capabilities to address specific problems.’ In addition, as to Radelet, Community
participation, stresses inter-professional or teamwork approaches to solving community

10
problems… Take the crime problem… Clearly, the police are concerned about it. So are the
courts and other criminal justice institutions (Radelet, 1986:27).
Problem solving is the process of engaging in the proactive and systematic examination of
identified problems to develop effective responses that are evaluated rigorously (Trojanowicz
1990). It is also an analytic process and strategy for identifying and prioritizing in a collaborative
manner to solve the specific problems of the community and its causes (Bullock & Tilley,
2003:143–5). Thus, problem solving is another distinctive feature of community policing.

The integral part of community policing is community empowerment. It refers to the processes by
which people organize, attain a collective objective and learn about their own personal power.
An empowered community is structured in a way that provides members with the opportunity to
participate in community activities, it has to be responsible to the community and its members
must be willing to use that structure (Palmiotto, 2000:157). As Whisenand and Ferguson
(2002:109), empowerment is about power sharing. Sharing of power motivates people to get
involved, get the job done, give a high performance and give top quality service.
Crime develops out of neighborhood disorder and decay. As law-abiding residents see conditions
around them deteriorating, they feel a lack of control over their environment. Disorder and decay
empower criminals, who then seize control, and a spiraling rate of crime begins.
The role of the Community Police officer is to empower law-abiding residents to take back
control of their environment. The process of empowerment includes: Creating a highly visible
police presence in the neighborhood aimed at deterring the local criminal element, acting as a
catalyst to mobilize other city services as needed to improve the physical conditions of the
neighborhood, working with residents to assist them in taking action to enhance their personal
safety and the safety of their property, creating Neighborhood Associations and Crime Watch
associations to facilitate the development of a cohesive neighborhood identity and to form a
network through which information can flow to and from the police about activity in the area (St.
Petersburg police department strategic plan 1992: 32).
Accountability is realized by creating mechanisms through which police can be made answerable
for addressing the needs and concerns of the community they serve (South Africa, 1997:2).
Police officers must know they will be held immediately accountable for their actions and
answer personally for whatever they do if the accountability of police is established or realized.

11
The community is also accountable by providing the necessary information, being responsive to
the requests of the police and participating in every aspect of police work (Trojanowicz, 1998:1).
Moreover, accountability also refers to whether or not resources are used for proper purposes and
infers that the police are public servants and consequently, should provide services that meet
public concerns and needs (Gaines and Kappler in Peak et al. (2004:170).
Accountability, then, means members of community and the police are responsible for making
the community better places to live. Theses only happen when all members of community and
police accept this responsibility on a personal level and conduct our lives accordingly with the
ideals of Community Policing.
According to the above thoughts, community policing were characterized by providing fast,
efficient and effective service which aimed to solve problems that the community faces, through
close community police-partnership. This partnership came to life when the society was
empowered. Both police and community have to be accountable for individual acts and
omissions in community policing activities.

2.3. Principles of Community Policing

The following are important principles on which the community policing philosophy relies. Any
police organization at any level which wants to pursue a community policing strategy must abide
by these principles.
Change

Change is a constant term that drives the organizational culture and individual behavior to view
the transition to community policing. Change is an important principle that must be carried out
before a police organization tries to implement community policing as stated by Trojanowicz and
Bucqueroux (1994:8). Wilkinson and Rosenbaum (in Lab, 2004:195), state that community
policing ―represents a fundamental change in the basic role of the police officer, including
changes in his or her skills, motivations and opportunity to engage in problem-solving activities
and to develop new partnerships with key elements of the community.
Leadership

Leaders serve as role models for taking risks and building collaborative relationships to
implement community policing and they use their position to influence and educate others about
it. Leadership is the process of directing and influencing the actions of others (Stevens,

12
2003:104). Peak et al. (2004:60) similarly suggest that leadership is ―a process of directing and
influencing the behavior of others towards the accomplishment of objectives.
Decentralized and Personalized Police Service

For better implementation of community policing, police departments must create and develop a
new breed of line officer, a person who is a direct or face-to-face link or contact between the
police and people in the community. Ultimately, all police officers should practice the
community policing approach (Abebe, 2000:11). According to Trojaniwiz and Bucqueroux
(1994), the police make contact with the people they serve in a clearly defined beat or area, so as
to provide an effective and efficient community police service. It is recognized that the police
cannot impose order on the community from outside but that people must be encouraged to think
of the police as a resource they can use in helping to solve contemporary community concerns.
Community policing is a commitment to provide a decentralized and personalized police service
to neighborhoods. Thus, the decentralization of authority and structure is another principle of
Community Policing. The authority to participate in the decision-making process expands
significantly. This empowers individual officers and citizens alike and enables them to take part
in decision-making on the neighborhood level.

2.4. Philosophy and Organizational Strategy

Community policing is a philosophy that is to say, a way of thinking and an organizational
strategy, a way of how to carry out the philosophy.
According to Trojanowicz and Bucqueroux (1994:1): ‘The philosophy of community policing
rests on the belief that people deserve input into the police process, in exchange for their
participation and support. It also rests on the belief that solutions to today‘s community problems
demand freeing both people and the police to explore creative, new ways to address
neighbourhood concerns beyond a narrow focus on individual crime incidents’.
Vision

According to the community police consortium, ―a vision is a mental image of a possible and
desirable future for the law enforcement agency and its community. Vision projects a positive
view of a realistic, credible, attractive future state that is better than that which currently exists
(A stair case to strategic planning, 2005).
Equity

13
Trojanowicz and Bucqueroux (1994:9) explain that the principle of equity in the delivery of police service
―recognizes that all citizens will receive efficient, effective and respectful police service regardless of
race, gender, ethnicity, religion, beliefs, income, sexual preferences and other differences.

Trust

As indicated in the Community Policing Consortium (Police integrity, 2005), trust between the
police and the community is the cornerstone of effective community policing. The incidence of
corruption and abuse of power can harm the image of the police in their community. Community
policing gives a name and a face to the police so that residents will feel that the police are people
they can trust and work with.
Trust reduces mutual suspicions of police and residents and it provides the foundation that allows
the police and community to collaborate. It must be based on mutual understanding and respect.
The community-policing model needs the creation of mutual understanding and trust between the
police, the community and other relevant role players (BJA, 1994:9; South Africa, 1997:3).
Commitment to Community Empowerment

This principle is the first which demands that everyone in the police department, both civilian
and police personnel, must investigate ways to translate the philosophy of power sharing into
practice. It provides autonomy and freedom for police officers to take decisions on their assigned
beats (Trojanowicz & Bucqueroux, 1990:1).
Immediate and Long-term Proactive Problem Solving

Trojanowicz and Bucqueroux (1990:1) state: ―Police officials dealing in community policing,
respond to calls for service and make arrests but they also go beyond this narrow focus to
develop and monitor broad and long term initiatives that can involve all elements of the
community, in an effort to improve the overall quality of life. Police mostly need to identify the
root causes of problems and respond to them. As Oliver (1998:5) states:
In community policing the proactive approach to crime and social disorder gains its rightful
place. It also needs an anticipation of possible crimes and possible threats to social disorder,
crime trends and patterns, demographic realities, social economic and social problems and their
impact on crime and that social disorder are analyzed in good time. Areas of priority are
identified and joint strategic plans drawn up with inputs from the community.

14
Ethics Legality and Responsibility

Community policing implies a new contract between police and the citizens they serve. This
contract is one that offers hope of overcoming widespread apathy, while controlling the Action
or behaviour of vigilantism and restraining any impulse towards it (South Africa, 1997:3;
Trojanowicz & Bucqueroux, 1990:2).
This new relationship is based on mutual trust and respect and suggests that the police can serve
as a catalyst in challenging people to accept their share of responsibility for their overall quality
of life. Moreover, there should be a shared responsibility and decision-making as well as
sustained commitment from the police and the community with regard to safety and security
needs (South Africa, 1997:3; Trojanowicz & Bucqueroux, 1990:2).
Expanding the Police Mandate

The police are the only social control agency open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365
days a year. The police must maintain an ability to respond immediately to crises and crime
incidents. However, in community policing, the police role is changed. Therefore, community
policing can make a greater impact on making changes such as ―today this holds the promise of
making communities safer and more attractive places to live in tomorrow. The mission of the
police is also broadened from the mere combating of crime, and security within the community
to the emphasis on crime control. In addition, the police attempt to solve social problems within
the community and to improve the overall quality of life of the community (Oliver, 1998:3;
Trojanowicz & Bucqueroux, 1990:2).
Helping those with Special Needs

Community policing stresses exploring new ways to protect and enhance the lives of those who
form part of the most vulnerable groups that need special attention. These include juveniles, the
elderly, minorities, the poor, the disabled and the homeless. It both assimilates and broadens the
scope of previous outreach efforts such as crime prevention and police community relations
(South Africa, 1997:3; Trojanowicz & Bucqueroux, 1990:2).
Reaffirmation of the Authority of the Police

Oliver finds that ―in community policing the community, through local community
representatives, confirms the sources of police authority. This participation of the community

15
ensures consensus about the role and legitimacy of policing (1998:4). It has a great effect on the
success of community policing.
Process of Community Consultation

Community policing is used to help the police to determine community priorities together with
the community through consultation. These all need trust, careful planning and execution since
consultation is getting the best information possible in order to make sound decisions. The police
consult the community about options and recommendations to solve problems, since problem
solving should be based on a consultative approach that constantly seeks to improve
responsiveness to identify and prioritize community needs (South Africa, 1997:3; Stevens &
Yach, 1995:119).
Problem Oriented Strategy

This strategy is developed with the emphasis on the handling of crime prevention factors. Each
crime committed in an area is investigated and the most practicable and proactive methods are
applied to solve the problems. Creativity and innovation in applying methods and techniques
constitute a central principle. Oliver (1998:5) points out that in this approach, ―methods include
specialized patrols, satellite stations, allocating members to specific areas and more flexible
shifts.
Balanced Action

Community policing is a more effective and efficient policing system. A continual balance is
maintained between proactive and reactive actions to crime and disorder (Oliver, 1998:5). Naudé
and Stevens (1988:154) comment on this balance, as follows: It is often asked whether police
actions in respect of the offences are proactive or reactive and whether such offences can be
prevented by means of normal routine policing or only by means of police trapping, informants,
observation and participation. Policing in this context should be proactive as well as reactive to
ensure that offences are combated effectively.
Information Management

Community policing sees the community as a source of information. It must be utilized because
without the information from the community, the work of the police is doomed to failure.
Community policing creates a daily contact with the community to realize that the police officer

16
is a friend and in turn, enabling the police officer to get to know his community. In this way,
police ensure that members of the community voluntarily provide valuable crime related
information. Communication must be timely, comprehensive and direct (BJA, 1994:27; Oliver,
1998:6).
Career Generalist

A principle of community policing is that it needs police officers able to perform a variety of
tasks within the police service. It enables police officers to become career generalists as opposed
to specialists, by equipping them to accept responsibility and authority for a wide range of
activities (Oliver, 1998:6). A police officer is necessarily a career generalist who becomes
acquainted with local members of the community with every aspect of development (Stevens &
Yach, 1995:134).
Open Communication

Openness in all aspects of police work is essential in a democratic society. It recognizes that
relationships between the police and communities must be based on mutual trust and respect.
This will be possible only where there is open communication and where policing is seen to be
by and with the consent of the people (Stevens & Yach, 1995:6). Therefore, to introduce
community policing into a police force, requires an agreed set of values and beliefs about
policing and every employee must be committed. This commitment will not be achieved easily
and requires a process of education, consultation, open communication and persuasion. How this
is achieved and what is to be included will be some of the vital foundation steps in bringing
about the required change
 The exact process will need to be determined at the same time but there are some core
beliefs and values that must be included and these are set out below (Abebe, 2000:4–5):
 Respect for and protection of human rights;

 Transparency and openness in relation to activities and relationships, both inside and
outside the organization;

 Demonstrated commitment at all times to deliver the best possible policing service;

 Empowerment of all employees to take appropriate decisions, which facilitate the

delivery of quality police service;

17
  Willingness to seek for, listen to and act upon public opinion regarding policing
priorities;

 Understanding that community policing informs, guides and sustains all policing
activities;

 Participation of all police officials in community policing and problem- solving

initiatives;

 Education, capacity-building and good skills of all police personnel and members of the
community to enable constructive participation in addressing the problems of crime;

 Resolution of conflict between and within community groupings in a manner that

enhances peace and stability;

 Awareness of, respect for and tolerance of the language, cultures and values of diverse
peoples; and

 Enhancement of accountability of the police to the communities they serve.

The above are important principles of community policing noted by Abebe (2004), as well as by
a number of other scholars. They guide police personnel with regard to community policing.

2.5. Elements of Community Policing

In order to understand community policing, one should take note of the following core elements,
which constitute the community-policing philosophy. They are summarized as follows by
Cordner (in Segrave & Ratcliffe, 2004:2–4).

2.5.1 Organizational Elements

As stated by Segrave and Ratcliffe (2004:3), there are a number of essential elements that help to
execute the community policing approach. These elements are;
Philosophy adopted, as Segrave and Ratcliffe (2004:2) suggest that the philosophical elements
are crucial to community policing implementation, as without an understanding and commitment
to the central tenets of community policing, both the implementation and the potential benefits to
be gained will be limited.
According to Segrave and Ratcliffe (2004:3) the philosophical elements include:
 The community as the key priority for police work;

18
  The community playing a pivotal role in identifying crimes and other safety issues; and

 The broadening of the role of the police.

Decentralized decision-making and accountability for field officers are vital. It gives them
greater authority to solve problems yet at the same time, they held accountable for their actions.
In regard to fixing geographical accountability, the Bahil Adarash Police Department organized
the people and created community policing structure that begins from the household level to the
sub city community policing advisory council, which is helpful in holding accountability and
close relationship with the community. As to Trojanowicz and Bucqueroux (1990:1), police
organizations must create and develop a new breed of line officers to act as a direct link between
the police and the people in the community, since community policing requires daily, direct, face
to-face contact with the people they serve in a clearly defined area.
Suitable police officers should be assigned to a fixed geographical area for a long period, in
order to foster close communication and create a partnership between the police and the
community.
Beside utilization of voluntary resources from the community is one of the organizational
elements of community policing. Community policing encourages the use of citizens to assist the
law enforcement agency in every aspect. Voluntary participation of citizens in community
policing initiatives is really appreciated.
Finally, a number of enhancers and facilitators, including updated technology and information
systems, which help or support better resources and police personnel development, were needed
in the organization of community policing.

2.5.2 Tactical Elements

Enforcement of the law is the cornerstone of any law enforcement organization. The police are
expected to identify laws that need to be amended, changed or enacted, together with the
community. This all helps the police organization to address underlying causes of crime with the
assistance of the community.

Proactive focus; Crime-oriented law enforcement focuses not only on response to calls for
services but also on collaboration with the community in prevention and problem-solving

19
activities. In addition, the focus of the police is broadened from a reactive focus on serious crime
and an over-emphasis on law enforcement, to a proactive focus on the prevention of crime and
the solution of community problems (South Africa, 1997:7).

Problem solving; Police officials, as professionals, must work with the community to address
the underlying problems that contribute to crime and disorder by identifying and analyzing
problems, developing suitable feedback mechanisms and assessing the effectiveness of these
responses. Instead of merely waiting for individual calls for service, the police, with the help of
the public, should continuously identify and try to solve recurring problems (South Africa,
1997:7).

2.5.3 External Elements of Community Policing

Public involvement and community partnership;
At first, community policing requires co-operation among the police and the other members of
the community including individual citizens, citizen groups, business associations, legislative
bodies or other local agencies and community development offices. These institutions must all be
involved in identifying and solving all sorts of community problems (Lab, 2004:196).
Partnership with government and other agencies
In community policing, government and other agencies are called upon to recognize their
abilities to respond and address crime and social disorder issues. In order to succeed, the police
must establish partnerships with other government departments, citizens, community leaders,
business owners, schools, non-governmental organizations, other service providers and other
criminal justice agencies. They are all considered equal partners. They all work together in order
to improve the quality of life in the community (South Africa, 1997:7).

2.6. Benefits of Community Policing

The following are the benefits of community policing. It is described as community and police
specifics and shared benefits of the community- policing approach. The success of community
policing relies on problem solving through a partnership between the police and the community
(Ziembo-Vogl & Woods, 1996:1).

20
The benefits of community policing suggested are summarized in the literature of several
scholars: Whisenand and Ferguson (2002:207); Dempsey, (1999:234); O‘Block, and Greene &
Mastrosfski (1991:111).

2.6.1 Community Specific Benefits

A community involved in community-policing initiatives benefits as follows:
 It is committed to crime prevention.

 It focuses on the most efficient means of reacting to incidents.

 It ensures accountability, customized police service, community organization.

 It is mobilized and empowered to identify and respond to concerns.

 It experiences a reduction in problems and issues of concern as they are prioritized and
addressed.

 It experiences an improved local physical and social environment.

 It experiences an increase in positive community attitudes towards police.

 It experiences a reduced fear of crime.

2.6.2 Police Specific Benefits

When community policing is successfully implemented, police organizations in general and
officers in particular, are benefited. According to Whisenand & Ferguson (2002:207) and
Dempsey (1999:234), the following benefits of community policing are suggested as police
specific benefits:
 A realistic acknowledgement of police functions;

 An improved police community relationship;

 An increased community perception of police legitimacy;

 An increase in officers‘ satisfaction with their work;

 An increased awareness of community problems enabling the police to formulate a more

effective response;

21
  A more effective use of personnel;

 A greatly increased use of the knowledge gained by the police of the patrol area;

 An acknowledgement of the limited capacity of the police to fulfill their duties and the
importance of an alliance between the police and the public; and

 A recognition of the inter-relationship among police functions.

2.6.3 Community and Police shared Benefits

As mentioned by different scholars such as Whisenand and Ferguson, (2002:207) and Dempsey
(1999:234), community and police work together based on the principles of community policing.
Owing to the close partnership between them, they might have the following benefits:
 Decreased potential for police-citizen conflict;

 Reduction in crime rates;

 A better flow of information between the police and the community; and

 Better implementation of crime prevention and crime control activities because both
parties are working together towards a shared goal.

2.7. Criteria for Evaluation of the Successes of Community Policing

According to (Palmiotto, 2000:257), there are three important criteria for measuring or
evaluating the success of community policing initiatives. These were;
I. Effectiveness refers quality on the delivery of police services and customer satisfaction.
As Oliver explained, the measures of effectiveness include concentrating on solving
community problems, how the community and the police work together in a partnership
and the level of customer satisfaction (Oliver 2004:337). With regard to effectiveness,
Messe (cited in Palmiotto, 2000:257) suggests that it is important to measure the
outcome expected from the community policing strategy. The dimensions of
effectiveness include reducing nationwide crime, decreasing citizens’ fear of crime and
improving the quality of life of communities. The success of the strategies to solve
neighbourhood problems should also be assessed.

22
 II. Efficiency is measured by evaluating whether the community policing strategy has
obtained the best results from the available resources, and whether resources are being
used to their fullest, in order to solve neighbourhood and community problems. Included
here is the use of technology, use of community organizations, prioritizing service calls,
redefining job descriptions and co-ordination of problem-solving activities (Palmiotto,
2000:257). In cases of Bahil Adarash sub city, efficiency can evaluated as within
material and human logistics shortage scoring the best result in crime reduction.
III. Equity or fairness is used to assess every community-policing programme and its results
(Palmiotto, 2000:257). Moreover, equity involves equal access to police services, equal
treatment under the constitution and equal distribution of police services and resources
among communities (Palmiotto, 2000:257).
The Bahil Adarash police department can learn from the above-mentioned criteria to
evaluate the success or failure of community policing implementation in the sub city.

2.8. Conceptualizing Crime Prevention

Crime prevention is defined by UNs office on drug and crime as: ‘strategies and measures that
seek to reduce the risk of crimes occurring, and their potential harmful effects on individuals and
society, including fear of crime, by intervening to influence their multiple causes’.
For effective crime prevention activities through community policing it is necessary to
conceptualize it. Accordingly the researcher tried to help the reader to conceptualize crime
prevention by providing various related of review literature under the following topics;

2.8.1. Crime Prevention and Community Safety

Community crime prevention often involves the active participation of local residents and
organizations in those communities and neighborhoods. They may be involved in identifying
local priorities as well as implementing responses (UN office on drugs and crime Vienna).
One of the most common assumptions about crime prevention is that it can be clearly separated
from other areas of activity, and that it is restricted to academia, or solely the province of the
police and justice system. In fact, as observers have often pointed out, many interventions that
help to prevent crime are called something else, whether early childhood intervention,
educational and employment support, drug treatment or urban renewal. Crime prevention is not
the only term commonly in use internationally. In different contexts and countries, other terms

23
such as safety and security, crime reduction and community safety are often used (UN office on
drugs and crime Vienna).
The term community safety is commonly used to refer to the broader range of issues that must be
tackled to promote safer cities or communities, and with outcomes that bring benefits beyond an
absence of crime (UN office on drugs and crime Vienna).
Thus, one who study community crime prevention should aware of there are terms commonly
used internationally like community safety and community security.

2.9. Causes of Crime

Understanding causes of crime helps to its prevention. In light of this NCPI point out the
following three causes of crime;
I. Criminal desire

Criminal behavior refers to the interest or motivation on the part of the criminal. The motivation
to contemplate offending arises out of the usual human desire. The particular nature of his wants
and needs are shaped by the individual‘s basic psychological drives, personal priorities and
preferences acquired during the course of development and generated by the pleasure and
vicissitudes of his or her current lifestyle (Smith & Cornish, 2003:57). According to Eck and
Weiseburd (1995:5), crime usually occurs when the offender is motivated to fulfill his or her
desire.
II. Criminal skills

This refers to a person‘s own skills and use of tools that might be applied to criminal activities
needed to a commit crime, like teaching each other and learning by committing criminal acts.
The criminal would presumably develop unlawful ways to obtain his tools (NCPI, 2001:3) such
as personal associations that teach criminals skills (NCPI, 1986:3).
In addition to material tools, criminal skill also includes group or individually developed
strategies to perform his or her acts of crime. Criminal skills are learnable as one criminal could
learn different skills from others.
III. Criminal opportunity

Criminal opportunity is a personal association that teaches crime skills. It is controllable to a

large degree at its target end namely, within the victim‘s environment. This will determine the

24
extent to which cues signaling opportunities are noticed, seized, sought, manipulated, or
manufactured by the predatory offender. The term ―opportunity reduction assumes the
existence of a motivated or at least ambivalent offender, who is ready to give in to criminal
temptations. Thus, criminal desire, skill and opportunity were identified as causes of crime.

2.10. The basic principles underlying Guidelines for the Prevention of Crime
Similarly, the Guidelines for the Prevention of Crime also set out eight basic principles
underlying the development of crime prevention strategies, as follows:
1. Government leadership; All levels of government should play a leadership role in
developing effective and humane crime prevention strategies and in creating and
maintaining institutional frameworks for their implementation and review.
2. Socio-economic development and inclusion; Crime prevention considerations should be
integrated into all relevant social and economic policies and programmes, including those
addressing employment, education, health, housing and urban planning, poverty, social
marginalization and exclusion. Particular emphasis should be placed on communities,
families, children and youth at risk.
3. Cooperation/partnerships; Cooperation/partnerships should be an integral part of
effective crime prevention, given the wide-ranging nature of the causes of crime and the
skills and responsibilities required to address them. This includes partnerships working
across ministries and between authorities, community organizations, nongovernmental
organizations, the business sector and private citizens.
4. Sustainability/accountability; Crime prevention requires adequate resources, including
funding for structures and activities, in order to be sustained. There should be clear
accountability for funding, implementation and evaluation and for the achievement of
planned results.
5. Knowledge base; Crime prevention strategies, policies, programmes and actions should
be based on a broad, multidisciplinary foundation of knowledge about crime problems,
their multiple causes and promising and proven practices.
6. Human rights/rule of law/culture of lawfulness; the rule of law and those human rights
which are recognized in international instruments to which Member States are parties
must be respected in all aspects of crime prevention. A culture of lawfulness should be
actively promoted in crime prevention.

25
 7. Interdependency; National crime prevention diagnoses and strategies should, where
appropriate, take account of links between local criminal problems and international
organized crime prevention.
8. Differentiation; Crime prevention strategies should, when appropriate, pay due regards to
the different needs of men and women and considers the special needs of vulnerable
members of society (UN office on drugs and crime Vienna).
Generally the abovementioned principles laid the frame work for crime prevention. Sound
crime prevention strategies must integrate in to all relevant socioeconomic policies and
programs and implement in partnership with all stakeholders. Further to secure its
sustainability the prevention activities should be based up on knowledge and adequate
resources. The crime prevention actions must be performed without compromising the basic
human right and rule of law.

2.11. Type of Crime Prevention

Crime prevention should incorporate social developments like helping street children’s and
families at risk. In addition, the book entitled, handbook on the crime prevention guide lines
which published by UN office on drug and crime identified the following four types of crime
prevention;
I. Community, or locally-based crime prevention: - instead of targeting individuals, targets
areas where the risks of becoming involved in crime or being victimized are high. This
includes areas with high levels of deprivation, both in terms of infrastructure, services and
wealth, or lack of community cohesion. This can include slums and informal settlements, or
inner-city or suburban housing projects, often areas with a concentration of economic and
social problems. Such programmes work to increase the sense of safety and security of the
residents of particular communities, to respond to community concerns and crime problems
affecting the population and to increase the services and social capital or social cohesion in
the community. “Social capital” generally refers to the network of social relationships, trust
and shared values, community involvement or a sense of civic identity that exist in
neighbourhood.
II. Crime prevention through social development includes a range of social, educational, health
and training programmes, such as those that target at-risk children or families when the
children are very young, to provide them with support and child-rearing skills. Some early

26
 intervention programmes are also referred to as developmental crime prevention, since they
try to intervene to develop resilience and social skills among children and their families.
III. Situational crime prevention covers approaches that aim to reduce the opportunities for
people to commit crimes, to increase the risks and costs of being caught and to minimize the
benefits.
IV. Reintegration programmes. Crime prevention through reintegration refers to all programmes
that work with children, young people or adults already involved in the criminal justice
system, including those in custody and returning to the community (UN office on drugs and
crime Vienna).
So, crime prevention is an integrated approach which includes in securing community
involvement in direct prevention activists, reduce opportunities to commit crimes and alleviate
socio-economic of the community.

2.12. Crime Prevention Models

In every crime prevention activities it’s imperative to understand models of crime prevention.
According to Lab, crime prevention has three approaches. Each of the three areas of prevention
namely, primary, secondary and tertiary, attacks the crime problem at different stages of
development (Lab, 1997:20; Lab, 2004:23–27).
A. Primary crime prevention

Primary prevention within an area of criminal justice identifies conditions of the physical and
social environment that provide opportunity for or precipitate criminal acts (Lab, 2004:24).
Tilley (2005:766) states that it is the prevention of crime events. Moreover, primary crime
prevention includes broader social issues related to crime and deviance. Lab notes: ―It takes a
variety of forms and is located within a wide range of social organizations. Included are
environmental design, neighbourhood watch, general deterrence, private security and education
about crime and crime prevention (Lab, 2004:20).
In analyzing different concepts included in the primary prevention approach above, the following
stand out according to Lab:
 Environmental design includes a wide range of prevention techniques aimed at making
crime more difficult for the offender, surveillance easier for residents and feelings of
safety more widespread. The use of building plans conducive to visibility, the addition of

27
 lights and the marking of property for ease of identification, fall under the realm of
environmental design.
 Neighbourhood watch and citizen patrol increase the ability of residents to exert control
over their neighbourhood and add a risk of observation for potential offenders.

 Public education on the actual levels of crime affects the perceptions of crime.

 Private security can add to the deterrent effort of the formal justice system.

Primary prevention deals with eliminating influences in the physical and social environment that
engender deviant behavior. The programme works with general, physical and social factors that
provide the opportunity for deviance to occur (Lab, 2004:33).

Furthermore, Lab states: ―In this approach, potential offenders were influenced by the cost and
benefits inherent in action. It illustrates that crime opportunity is the result of target, risk, and
effort payoff (Lab, 2004:37).
Generally, the primary prevention approach also includes broader social issues related to crime
and deviance. Lab also points out that primary prevention is sometimes referred to as social
prevention…activities aimed at alleviating unemployment, poor education, poverty and similar
social ills, may reduce crime and fear by attending to the causes underlying deviant behaviour
(Lab, 2004:24).
B. Secondary Prevention

The identification of persons who are headed for future juvenile or adult criminality would allow
the introduction of appropriate crime prevention techniques prior to the deviant activity (Lab,
2004:175). As Pelser states: ―It is also aimed at a particular group identified through
demographic categorization (as in age, gender, education, ethnicity, socio-economic situation, or
a combination of these) to be most at risk of becoming either offender or victim of particular
types of crime (2002:3). Moreover, Lab finds ―secondary prevention is to deal with pre-
delinquents or deviant behaviour that leads to injurious criminal activity (Lab, 2004:22). Lab
elaborates on this point by stating: ―Secondary crime prevention is engaged in early
identification and predictions of potential offenders, places, situations that have a higher
likelihood for criminal activity. It also seeks to intervene, prior to the commission of illegal

28
activity, along with offending, making it less attractive for the potential offenders (Lab, 2004:25–
6; 178).
Lab (2004:175, 233, 251) and Pelser (2002:3) concur in finding that secondary crime prevention
involves the following:
Predicting and identifying places, times and targets of offenders;

 Establishing community or neighbourhood-oriented prevention measures, with prediction

and assessment for groups at risk;

 Aiming at specific problems, places, people or items as a factor of situational crime

prevention;

 Targeting risk groups or places or sources of conflict within the community, by means of
leisure and community mediation;

 Working with those at risk of offending particularly youths and the unemployed; and

 Introducing drug abuse and school prevention programmes.

Secondary crime prevention is community or neighbourhood-oriented when it aims to address
particular risk factors associated with criminal motivation and community involvement in crime
(Pelser, 2002:4). It may be fruitful to orient prevention activities from the viewpoint of the
victim rather than the potential offender. Any technique that assists in the elimination of
potential victims or targets would offer insight into the where and when of prevention efforts. It
also helps to prevent crime by identifying and predicting problem areas and potential offenders
and trying to prevent these proactively (Lab, 2004:177).
C. Tertiary Crime Prevention

As Bringham and Faust discuss in Lab (2004:3), tertiary prevention deals with the actual
offenders and involved intervention in such a way that offenders will not commit further crime.
The majority of tertiary prevention rests within the workings of the criminal justice system. The
activities of arrest, prosecution, incarceration and rehabilitation all fall within the realm of
tertiary prevention (Lab, 1997:22–23).

29
According to Lab (2004:251) and Pelser (2002:3), tertiary prevention deals with the elimination
of recidivism on the part of the offender. As they suggest, tertiary crime prevention involves a
number of factors, as follows:
For the most part, it rests within the confines of the formal justice system.

 Specific deterrence involves the imposition of sanctions on the individual in the hope that
this action will keep that specific individual from further engaging in crime once the
punishment has ceased.

 Incapacitation typically looks at the reduction in crime attributable to the confinement

period itself.

 Victims should receive victim support, compensation and reparation.

 Communities with high levels of crime are targeted and provided with urban
regeneration.
Pelser and Lab agree that rehabilitation can improve an individual‘s outlook and self-esteem. At
the same time rehabilitation should eliminate or lower subsequent levels of delinquent or
criminal behaviour (Lab, 2004:291; Pelser, 2002:4).

2.13. Community Policing and Crime Prevention

Community policing has distinctive characteristics. Kelling and Moore (1988) identify seven
major characteristics of community-oriented policing:
1. The source of authority in community-oriented policing stems from the community;
2. The primary function of community-oriented police agencies is balanced between crime
control, crime prevention and problem solving;
3. The organizational design of agencies adopting community-oriented policing is
decentralized, task-oriented and uses matrix structures to prevent and respond to crime
problems;
4. The relationship to the external environment is consultative, where the police defend
values of law and professionalism, but listen to community concerns;
5. Agencies adopting the community-oriented policing approach channel demand for police
service through analysis of underlying problems rather than via emergency calls;

30
 6. Foot patrols and problem solving predominate as the preferred tactics and technology of
community-oriented police agencies; and
7. Organizational performance is measured by quality of life outcomes and citizen
satisfaction, not by the number of arrests or other indicators of crime control.

2.14. Conceptual Framework of the Study

As the literature reviewed from different sources, casuses for crime occurrence were the interest
or motivation of criminals, skill and use of tools that might be applied to criminal activities
needed and a personal association that teaches crime skills. Thus tackling crime needs the
cooperative effort of police and community, often community policing crime prevention.
Community policing characterized by community partnership and empowerment, proactive focus
than reactive response and decentralized police services. On the other hand, crime prevention
through social development, situational crime prevention and community or local based crime
prevention models can go hand in hand with community policing strategies. Ultimately, the
effective implementation of community policing in crime prevention ensures sustainable
community safety. The conceptual frame work of this study was developed based on the
literature cited above and the personal observation of the study area.

31
 COMMUNITY POLICING IMPLEMENTATION

The existing environment & the day to day life of the community

CRIME OCCURENCE
COMMUNITY AND POLICE COOPERATION


Community policing crime prevention
Criminal desire
 Criminal skill
 Criminal opportunity

 Partnership
 Proactive focus


Empowerment

Crime prevention through social
Decentralized development

policing service
Situational crime prevention
 Community based crime prevention

COMMUNITY SAFTY

Figure 1: Conceptual Frame Work of the Study Based on Related Review Literature
(Source: - developed by the researcher, 2014)

32
 CHAPTER THREE:

3. Research Methodology
This chapter contains the material and methods of the study. Description of the study area, study
design, data sources, sampling size determination, sampling procedures, data collection
instruments and data analysis are included.

3.1. Description of the Study Area

The SNNPRS is one of the nine regional states in Ethiopia. The SNNPRS is divided in to 14
zones and 4 special woredas. There are almost 56 ethnic groups in the region, each with a
distinct language and culture (Nationality council 2006).
Hawassa City was founded in 1952 E.C during the period of Emperor Hailesilassie. Hawassa
town has got both its name and beauty from Lake Hawassa. Hawassa means ‘wide’ in Sidama
language: one of the widely spoken languages in the area. Now, the city and the lake share a
common name i.e. Hawassa. The total surface area of Hawassa City is 157.2 square kilometers;
it is divided in to 8 sub-city administrations. The largest sub-city in terms of area is Hawella-
Tulla (Hawassa city administration, 2005).

Hawassa is located in Southern Ethiopia, between the 7005’ latitude North and 380 29’
longitudes east. The City experiences a modified type of tropical climate. Although Hawassa is
situated in the Rift valley, its relatively high altitude about 1800m above sea level means that the
city's climate is mild year-round. Summer months in Hawassa are July through September; the
average rainfall is 1000mm (Lowest 800mm and highest 1300mm). Winter months (November
through January) are a little warmer and registered an average temperature of 22ºC (Hawassa
city administration, 2005).
Based on the 1999E.C/2007G.C National Population and Housing Census, the current projected
population of Hawassa is 329,734 inhabitants, of whom 169,677 were males and the rest 160,057
females. Of the 8 sub-cities, Hawell-Tulla had the highest population with a total of 119,058
inhabitants, followed by Tabor with 59,562 and Menehariya with 32,945 inhabitants (Hawassa
city administration, 2005).

33
Bahil Adarash sub city, centered in the heart side of the Hawassa city with plenty number of
service providers, educational centers, micro and small manufacturing enterprises, Hotels and
night clubs commercial centers, religious institution, government institutions. In addition various
buildings and urban slums also parts of the sub city.

According to the result of Housing and Population Census of May, 2007 G.C, the Bahil adarash
sub city has a Population of 19.050 people, out of which 9563 are male and 9487 are female. The
total number of the house hold is 6026 (CSA2007). Finally some facts like absolute location,
climate and geographical setting were shared with the city of Hawassa.

Currently, 56 police officials (49 male and 7 female) are employed in the Bahil adarash sub city
police department. The sub city’s police department divided into two parts: crime prevention and
crime investigation. Traffic safety management and community policing were organized under
crime prevention. There are three police stations in the sub city namely, Adare kebele police
station, Andinet kebele police station and Harar kebele police station. In these three stations, 25
police officers are assigned to the department of crime prevention and among them only 2
community policing officer were assigned for the sub city. From this, one can ascertain that the
ratio of police to inhabitants is 1:340 in the sub city and the ratio of 1 community officer to 9525
people (BAPD 2006EC).
Community policing were implemented in the sub city for the last five years. Community
policing structure in Bahil Adarash sub city begins at the household level, with family police.
One family member is elected (though in many cases, it is automatically the father) to take
responsibility for conflict resolution within the family. The next level of community policing is
at the block level by forming the block committee, usually referred to as the Conflict Resolving
Committee. These committees are responsible for maintaining order within their immediate
neighborhoods and hold meetings when necessary, including over traditional Ethiopian coffee
ceremonies, to discuss issues of local crime, disorder, or disputes and where possible resolve
them through customary means. Block committees report to the Community Police Officer
regarding any matters that they cannot resolve it or need assistance with. The next layer of
community policing is the site community policing Advisory council which is composed of at
least more than two cp blocks. Many cp site forms Kebele cp advisory council. The Bahil
Adarash sub city community policing advisory council is the highest cp structure in the sub city.

34
 Bahil Adarash cp
Advisory council

Kebele cp Advisory
council

Site cp Advisory
council

Block cp conflict
resolving
commite

Family
police

Figure 2: Bahil Adarash Sub City Community Policing Structure

(Source: BAPD)

35
Figure 3: Bahil Adarash Sub City Administrative Map

(Source; Hawassa city Administration)

36
3.2 Study Design
The study was employed a descriptive social survey with community basis. It was incorporated
both quantitative as well as qualitative nature. Qualitative survey was used to boost up the
quantitative results of the study and fills the gap where quantitative survey misses to touch. Thus,
triangulation of data presentation from the two sources leads towards sound analysis and
research findings.

3.3 Data Sources

The data for study was generated from both primary and secondary data so as to address the
overall objective of the study and research questions. As to primary sources, information was
collected through the use of interview, field observation and focus group discussions from the
following identified group:
• selected community policing leaders in the block, site and kebele level
• Police of the Bahil adarash sub city
• Concerned officials and community policing officers in the study area.
Generally, polices, sample household community, community policing officers and officials in
the sub city was the focus of the overall investigation.
Secondary data was also be gathered through reviewing relevant materials such as Reports,
Archive documents, books, journals, bulletins, magazines and web sites.

3.4 Sample Size Determination and Sampling Procedures

3.4.1 Sample Size Determination

In this research, the populations of interest are the stakeholders of community policing in Bahil
adarash sub city of Hawassa city administration. These comprise, 56 polices, 6 community
policing site leaders and 2 community policing officers, 64 residents and 2 sub city’s
administrative officials.

3.4.2 Sampling Procedures

For the purpose of this study, one of the most commonly used probability sampling like simple
random sampling (SRS) was used in the selection of community policing site and systematic
sampling (SS) techniques was used in identifying house hold respondents. Furthermore, non

37
probability or purposive sampling techniques was administered in the selection of the sub city
and community policing Kebeles.
In the beginning of the sampling, Bahil adarash sub city was purposively selected because of the
fact that the sub city has plenty chat chewing and other drug providers and consumers, presence
of many night clubs, existence of people under sever poverty, slums with inadequate
infrastructure like street light and others led to the occurrence of crime. Moreover, the sub-city
implemented community policing practically in the last five years.
Before proceeding to sampling stage, list of three CP kebeles with total number of 18 community
policing sites, two community policing kebele (Andinet and Adare) with 14 community policing
site was selected by using purposive sampling technique. The selection of the kebeles was
mainly due to their high crime record because of the presence of urban slum, dark areas at night
because of absence of street light, found in low level of economic status and the implementation
of CP in the last five years. The Bahil adarash police department (BAPD) provides the necessary
information in the selection of the CP kebeles.

Then 6 CP site (Tarekegn, Tena-kela, Beru-tesfa, Aregawian, Ferd-bet and Mazagaja) out of 14
with total house hold of 638 was randomly selected through simple random sampling. For the
purpose of this study, sample sits were was categorized in to two, i.e. high crime committed and
less crime committed CP sites.
Of the total 638 house hold, the researcher selects 10% (64) of the household through systematic
sampling. Here the list of the house hold (sample frame) was provided by community policing
site leaders or the Kebele leader. Then, individual respondent was chosen by systematic
sampling.
A systematic sample is one in which every Kth subject on a list is selected for inclusion in the
sample. The “K” refers to the sampling interval, and may be every 3rd (K=3) or 10th (K=10)
subject. The value of K is determined by dividing the population size by the sample size (Gray
cited in William R. Yount, 2006).

38
Formula
Kth = �⁄�
“K”, refers to the sampling interval
“N”, implies total population
“n”, designate sample population
K= 6 8⁄
6
K=10th

In addition, due to the small number of the police force, all police officers of the sub city with a
total number of 56 (100%) of which 49 male and 7 female were taken as a target population
Finally, six community policing site leaders were selected purposively in the focus group
discussion. Additionally, two officials from Bahil Adarash sub city and 2 CP officers’ was
selected for key person interview.

39
 3.4 Sampling Techniques
Bahil adarash sub city

(Three cp kebeles)

Purposively

Selected
Less crime committed
High crime committed cp kebele (3 cps)
cp kebele (3 cps)

Randomly

Cps1 cps2 cps3 cps1 cps2 cps3 Selected

A total of 120 House Hold and Police

Officers Systematically

Selected

64 House 56 police officers

hold

49 Male 7 Female

Figure 4: Schematic presentation of the Sampling Design

(Source; Computed from own survey data 2006)

40
3.5 Data Collection Instruments and Methods
In order to produce a complete set of all the reliable data for analysis and meet the intended
objectives of the study, a number of data collection instruments were followed. The major tools
used to collect data were:
 Questionnaire
 Interview schedule (unstructured interview) was prepared for the officials in Bahil
Adarash sub city and community policing officers.
 Focus Group Discussions(FGD) and observation
Questionnaires that contain closed ended and open ended questions were administered among
communities and polices of the selected community policing block and site centers.
Interviews with the Bahil Adarash sub city officials and leaders of sample kebele / key
informants or representatives were also conducted.
The field observations by the researcher were contributes a lot in the description of the
qualitative data.
Prior to the actual data gathering (field work), the checklist/ schedules was undergo intensive
review and pre- testing on small samples from all categories of the respondents. This was done
primarily to check whether the potential respondents can understand each question properly and
estimated the time required to fill out the schedule. Upon receiving feedback from the pretest,
some amendments were made prior to ultimate duplication.
During the field work, all efforts were made to maintain data quality through intensive
supervision. A total of two enumerators who are familiar to the study area was recruited and
trained on the objectives, methods of data collection and interviewing techniques.

Focused Group Discussion (FGD):

With regard to the collection of qualitative data, the focused group discussion was conducted by
representatives from each sample selected sites. The maximum number of participants in the
focus group was 6 in order to make it manageable size. A key informant interview was
conducted with that comprises sub city’s justice and security officer, Bahil Adarash sub city
community officer, community leaders and knowledgeable individuals. The information which is
extracted from the group was used to elaborate the quantitative data result.

41
The aforementioned list of data collection tools were cautiously done and incorporate the most
important demographic/personal, economic, communication, educational status, and socio-
cultural factors.

3.6 Methods of Data Analysis

After all the relevant and available data are collected, the analysis process was done using a
number of relevant techniques. Data Collected from the survey respondents was entered in to
computer for analysis using Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) version 20 which is
the latest version. Tables of count, percentages and qualitative descriptions for the data secured
from FGD and semi structured interview was used to describe and summarize the results of the
investigation.

42
 CHAPTER FOUR

4. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

This chapter has two major sub sections, which have been discussed in line to achieve the overall
objectives of the study. The first section describes background (demographic) characteristics of
the sample respondents and the second section illustrate the research questions related to
awareness, commitment of community and police, prospect of CP, capability of the police,
challenges and solutions of community policing in crime prevention.

4.1. The Background Characteristics of Respondents

4.1.1. The Demographic Characteristics of the Police

Table 1: Percentage and Frequency Distribution of Police Respondents Demographic

Characteristics in Bahil Adarash sub city, March 2014, (n = 56)
Characteristics Frequency percentage

Sex

Male 49 87.5

Female 7 12.5

Rank of status

Constable 27 48.2

Sergeant 19 33.9

Inspector 10 17.9

Academic status

43
 Certificate 42 75

Diploma 14 25

Assigned position

Crime prevention 36 64.3

Crime investigation 20 35.7

Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

The study was conducted using 120 sample respondents. Out of the total respondents, 56(100%)
were staff of the Bahil Adarash police department of which 87.5 (n=49) percent were male and
12.5 (n=7) percent were female. As compared to the number of male police respondents, the
number of female police officers were very low (12.5%). So that, it needs affirmative action by
recruitment of more female police officers to encourage their female house hold counterparts to
participate in the implementation of community policing crime prevention in Bahil Adarash sub
city.

Among 56 (100%) police officers, 17.9 percent has reached the rank Inspector followed by 33.9
percent Sergeant and 48.2 percent Constable. Regarding the assigned position depicted in table 1,
64.3 percent were assigned in crime prevention whereas, 35.7 percent assigned in crime
investigation.

In relation to academic background the majority 75% of the police in Bahil Adarash sub city
were graduated with certificate and the remaining 25 percent has Diploma in police science. As it
can be seen, 75 percent of the police attain the minimum educational status required in the field.
The Hawassa city administration police head office has to take the initiative in up grading the
educational level of the sub city police officers.

44
4.1.2. The Demographic Characteristics of the Household Respondents
Table 2: Percentage distribution of respondents in years of stay in the study area, March 2014,
(n= 64)

Statement frequency percentage

Dweller of the sub city

Yes 64 100

Years of stay

Less than one year 4 6.3

One to five year 7 10.9

More than five year 53 82.8

Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

All of households (n=64) respondent were dwellers’ of Bahil Adarash sub city of which 82.8
percent were stayed for more than five years, 10.9 percent dwell for the year ranges from one to
five and the remaining 6.3 lived in the sub city for not more than one year. Aforementioned
percentage indicate that the majority 82.8 percent of the household respondent can observe the
difference in their area of pre and post implementation of community policing crime prevention.

45
Figure 5: Percentage distribution of household respondents by sex in the study area, April 2014,
(n= 64)

Sex of the respondents in frequency and percentage

35.9%
frequency
23
Female percentage
64.1%
41
Male

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

As it can be observed from figure 5, 64.1 percent of household respondents were male, whereas
the remaining 35.9 percent were Female.

4.2. Analysis of Data

Table 3: Percentage distribution of community awareness in the study area, April, 2014(n= 64)

Statement Frequency Percentage

Awareness of CP implementation

Yes 52 81.3

No 3 4.7

Have no idea 9 14.1

Knowing the meaning of CP

Yes 40 62.5

No 24 37.5

46
Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

Among 64 (100%) household respondents, 81.3 percent has awareness about the implementation
of community policing in Bahil Adarash sub city, 4.7 percent has not the knowhow and the
remaining 14.1 percent replied as they have no idea at all. Besides, 62.5 percent of the household
were said they can explain the meaning of community policing. But, 37.5 percent responded as
they have insufficient awareness about the meaning of community policing. Thus, the majority
of the community has awareness about the implementation of community policing in the sub
city, but one-third of them lacks necessary knowledge to explain the meaning of community
policing.

Thus, the Bahil Adarash sub city should extend its effort in empowering the communities’
awareness on CP.

Figure 6: Percentage of police capacity in educating the community, April, 2014 (n= 56)
Do the Bahil Adarash police has sufficient capacity to educate the people

28.6%

Yes

No
71.4%

Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

In relation to this, the empowerment of the community directly coincides to the capacity of
police to train and educate the public. So, as it can be seen from figure 6, out of 56 (100%) police
28.6 percent believes the sub city police have adequate capacity to train or educate the
community. But, the majority 71.4 percent of the police replied they have not sufficient

47
knowledge to educate the public about basic philosophy and strategies of community policing
crime prevention.

Since the police have to play a variety of responsibilities in the implementation of community
policing, both the sub city police and the Hawassa city Administration police Department have to
train the community. Community policing needs a police officer’s which able to perform a
variety of tasks within the police service. So that, training enables the police officers to equipped
with variety of knowledge and educate the community.
Similarly, this idea also lined with the idea of Genest (1996), “Education and training play an
important role in solving the problem. Once more it is clear that personal interaction between
police officials and members of the community can help to solve the problem.”

Table 4: Percentage distribution of respondents on community policing role in crime prevention

in the study area, April, 2014 (n= 120)

Community policing helps

crime prevention Frequency Percentage

Police respondents
Yes 54 96.4
No 2 3.6
Have no idea _ _
Total 56 100
Community respondents
Yes 35 54.7
No 11 17.2
Have no idea 18 28.1
Total 64 100

Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

For the question “does community policing helps crime prevention?” 96.4 percent (n=54) of the
police responded yes and 3.6(n=2) percent replied no. Thus, the police overwhelmingly accredit
community policing is the best system in crime prevention. This outlook is crucial for effective
crime prevention schemes, because they do what they were believed in. furthermore, out of 64
48
household respondents, half 54.7 (n=35) percent responded community policing helps crime
prevention, whereas the remaining 17.2 (n=11) percent and 28.1 (n=18) percent replied that CP
cannot help crime prevention and have no idea, respectively. In spite, 54.7 percent of the
community said CP helps crime prevention, nevertheless, 45.3 still remains unaware of
community policing role in crime prevention. So it must be the prelude activity for BAPD.
Figure 7: Frequency and Percentage distribution of community engagement in crime prevention
activities in the study area, April, 2014 (n= 64)

Community engagment in crime prevention

Frequency percent
54.7

45.3

35
29

Yes No

Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

In this regard, the majority 54.7 percent of the household respondents said the police officers did
not engage them in crime prevention schemes in the sub city, whereas 45.3 percent responded as
they were involving in crime prevention activities with the police. Consequently, the BAPD has
to work out to involve all section of the community equally.
According to the information secured from interview, the interviewees admitted lack of
engagement and consultation of the community in policing activities in some areas. As the
interviewee pointed out, this is happen because of lack of sufficient number of police force, lack
of sympathy of the community to work with the police and most polices were conditioned with
traditional policing.

49
Community engagement and consultation in crime prevention is getting the best information
possible in order to make sound decision. These all need trust, careful planning and execution.
The police engage the community about options and recommendations to solve problems, since
community policing encourages problem solving should be based on a consultative approach to
identify and prioritize community needs.
Table 5: Percentage response on the existence of regular forum in the study area, April 2014
(n= 64)
Is there regular Frequency Percentage
forum
Yes 21 32.8
No 32 50
Have no idea 11 17.2
Total 64 100
Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

Crime prevention through community policing needs a regular forum to discuss on problems and
to set solutions in order to tackle further crime occurrence. Therefore, the residents of Bahil
Adarash must have a regular forum. In relation this, 50 percent of household responded as they
have not regular CP forum in their locality, 32.8 percent replied as they have regular forum to
discuss with their fellow members of community and the police and remaining 17.2 percent
answered as they have no idea.
As observed from table 4, exactly half of the respondents replied as they have no a regular forum
in their site. According to the qualitative data secured from interview with the community
policing officer of Bahil Adarash sub city, ‘they tried to provide a constant meeting place and
time schedule, but most of the community were absent from the forum using different pretexts’.
Furthermore, on the focus group discussion out of six CP leaders, three of them were from high
crime committed area admitted that they have no a constant forum of discussion in their site. So
by understanding the necessity of regular forum for effective crime prevention, BAPD has to
extend its effort in encouraging the whole dwellers of the sub city to have regular forum in their
respective site and solve the problem related with arranging suitable time and place for the
meeting.

50
Table 6: Percentage distribution of community role in crime prevention in the study area,
April, 2014, (n= 64)
Statements Frequency Percentage
Does community has role in crime prevention
Yes 60 93.8
Have no idea 4 6.3
Total 64 100
Does community play their role properly in crime prevention
Yes 25 39.1
No 25 39.1
Have no idea 14 21.9
Total 64 100
Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

The role communities play in crime prevention first starts from their belief. In consideration of
this, 93.8 percent of the household respondents believe that, the community has role in the
activities of crime prevention and 6.3 percent responded as they have no idea.
Even if, 93.8 percent replied their belief of community should play a significant role, but only
39.1 percent of household respondents comment the community played expected role properly in
community policing crime prevention implementation so far. Equally, other 39.1 percent
responded as the communities until now not perform the expected role and till other 21.9 said
they have no idea.
Community plays an integral part of crime prevention. As elucidated in the review literature part,
crime prevention has three approaches which directly or indirectly need the role of communities.
As the participants in the focus group discussion explained, there were positive moves from the
community to fight crime. However, it was not that much enough as the level of community
policing needs.
Since the community is the central theme of community policing crime prevention. Both
governmental and Nongovernmental organization and institution has to work on increasing the
participation of communities in crime prevention schemes.

51
Figure 8: Frequency and percentage of community commitment in the study area, April,
2014(n=64)

Community commitment
Frequency Percentage

39.1%

26.6%
25

17 17.2%

11
9.4%
7.8%
6 5

Very high High Medium Low Very low

Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

As presented in the figure 8, the majority 39.1 of the respondent replied the commitment of
community in crime prevention as medium which followed by 26.6 percent high and 9.4 percent
very high. The remaining 17.2 and 7.8 percent said low and very low. Thus without any doubt,
the big deal here is scaling up community commitment through different intervention activities,
especially by massive awareness creation.

52
Figure 9: Frequency and percentage distribution of police-community relationship in the study
area, April, 2014 (n= 56)

48.4
50
45
40
35 31
30
25
17.2
20
12.5 11 10.9 10.9
15 8 7 7
10
5
0
very high High Medium Low Very low
Frequency percentage

Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

For a better flow of information between the police and the community and better
implementation of crime prevention and crime control activities, community and police should
work together based on the principles of community policing.
In this regard it is imperative to assess the relationship of police and residents in Bahil Adarash
sub city. So almost half 48.4 percent of household respondents replied the relation between
police and community as medium which followed by 17.2% high and 12.5% very high, whereas
10.9% responded as low and another 10.9% said very low. Furthermore, as to the information
secured from FGD, the relationship between police and community perceived as medium.
So like community commitment, the relationship of police and community were taken as
medium. Thus BAPD has to work out in tie up its relationship with the dwellers of the sub city.
Table 7: Frequency and percentage distribution of CP role and proactive crime prevention in the
study area, April, 2014 (n= 64)

Statement Frequency percentage

Community contribution in proactive crime prevention
Very high 1 1.6
High 9 14.1
Medium 17 26.6

53
 Low 26 40.6
Very low 11 17.2
The role CP played in preventing crime in the sub city
Very high 3 4.7
High 19 29.7
Medium 25 39.1
Low 13 20.3
Very low 4 6.3
Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

As stated in the literature part of the research Crime prevention law enforcement focuses not
only on response to calls for services but also on collaboration with the community in prevention
and problem-solving activities. In addition, the focus of the police is broadened from a reactive
focus on serious crime and an over-emphasis on law enforcement, to a proactive focus on the
prevention of crime and the solution of community problems (South Africa, 1997:7). So how
much community contributes in proactive crime prevention matters its success. Out of 64 (100%)
household respondents, 40.6 % (n=26) replied community contributed low in proactive crime
prevention followed by 26.6% (n=17) medium and 17.2% said very low. The rest 14.1% and
1.6% responded high and very high, respectively.
Since 40.6 % of the respondents said they contributed low in pro active crime prevention, it is
imperative to know how much community policing played its role in crime prevention.
Consequently, 39.1% (n=25) of respondents replied medium which followed by 29.7% (n=19)
high and 20.3 percent responded low. The rest of the respondent answered as low (6.33%) and
very high (4.7%).

54
Figure 10: Percentage and frequency distribution of respondents on CP pave a way for proactive
measure to prevent crime in the study area, April 2014 (n=56)

CP pave a way for proactive measure to prevent crime

Frequency Percentage
96.4 3.6

54 2

0
YES NO

Besides to aforementioned CP role, out of 56 (100%) police respondents overwhelmingly 96.4

percent (n=54) replied that CP paves a way for proactive measures to tackle crime and only 3.6
percent (n=2) responded they have doubt. In community policing the proactive approach to crime
and social disorder gains its rightful place. It also needs an anticipation of possible crimes and
possible threats to social disorder, crime trends and patterns, demographic realities, social
economic and social problems and their impact on crime and that social disorder are analyzed in
good time. Areas of priority are identified and joint strategic plans drawn up with inputs from the
community, hence proactive focus. Furthermore some says community policing is proactive
policing. Since the majority of the police have a belief in community policing pave a way for
proactive measures to tackle crime, thus, BAPD has to interpret it to practice.

55
Figure 11: Frequency and percentage distribution of household awareness on consequence of
crime in the study area, April, 2014 (n= 120)

Community awareness on crime consquence

percentage Frequncy

0.83
Very low 1

20
Low 24

50.83
Medium 61

17.5
High 21

10.83
Very high 13

Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

As observed from figure 11, the awareness of community on crime consequence was perceived
by 50.83% as medium followed by 20% low and 17.5% high. Till other 10.83 percent replied
very high and 0.83 percent very low.
The efforts made to tackle crime were must be Knowledge based. As to the information gained
from the interviewee, the level of community awareness on crime consequence was medium.
This is manifested through hiding criminals and providing false information to the police. But
the interviewee also insisted that, there were also members of the community which work closely
with the police. Furthermore, as the community policing officer (interviewee) mentioned, one
suspected murderer from Alaba woreda and hide in the sub city were exposed by his own
relative. This is good example of when people being aware of crime consequence. However, it is
exceptional, according to the percentage from figure 11; the majority of the community was
lacks sufficient awareness on the consequence of crime.

56
Thus, not only BAPD but also the sub city administration and any volunteers’ works on
awareness creation have to increase their effort in generating awareness among the community
about the consequence of crime.
Table 8: Percentage and frequency of circumstances affecting police community relationship in
the study area, April 2014 (n= 120)

Frequency percentage

Yes 82 68.3
No 31 25.83
Have no idea 7 5.83
Total 120 100
Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)
In order to secure the full participation of the community both police and residents should avoid
things that create mistrust among them. One of the benefits of community policing stated in
review literature were decreased potential for police-citizen conflict. Regarding this, 68.3 percent
of sample respondents replied that there are circumstances that hinder smooth community- police
cooperation and 25.83 percent responded as nothing so far disrupt their cooperation. The
remaining 5.83 percent respondents answered as they have no idea about the circumstances.

In addition, as to the information secured from focus group discussion, the participants outlined
the following reasons that created mistrust between the police and community which leads to
lack of cooperation. These reasons were some polices receive inducements (corruption) from
criminals and most criminals were let out from prison without proper punishment. Furthermore,
with the interview conducted with Bahil Adarash community officers and the sub city justice and
security officer also stated the following three reasons that created a gap in smooth police-
community cooperation. First, in return to providing information to catch criminals and being
witness in court the individual witness have no guarantee from future criminals’ revenge.
Secondly, the criminals were not punished properly by the law because of inability of the police
in providing sufficient evidence to the court. Thirdly, there are members of community which
hide criminals from the police sight.

57
So that aforementioned reasons were the main factors that affected the cooperation between
police and community.
Table 9: Percentage response of household on CP applicability in the study area, April 2014
(n= 64)

CP applicability Frequency Percentage

Yes 30 46.9
No 16 25
Have no idea 18 28.1
Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

Regarding CP applicability for dynamic and complex crime, out of 64 (100%) household
respondents 46.9 percent of respondents replied community policing is applicable for dynamic
and complex crimes, 25 percent said it is not and 28.1 percent responded as they have no idea.

Figure 12: Level of commitment of CP officers in preventing crime in the study area, April 2014
(n= 64)

Very
very low high High
21.9% 4.7% 14.1%

Medium
12.5%

Low
46.9%

Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

Figure 12 implies the evaluation of CP officers’ commitment by community. Consequently, 46.9

percent of the community said the commitment that community policing officers demonstrate
towards the effective implementation CP is low. Even another 21.9 percent responded as very
low. 12.5 percent replied medium, 14.1 percent high and 4.7 percent very high.

58
Thus more than 68 percent of the respondents tried to send a message for BAPD to add more
commitment in their crime prevention through community policing.
Table 10: Responses of household in frequency and percentage, April, 2014 (n= 64)

statement Frequency Percentage

Do CP officers train about community policing
Yes 50 78.1
No 6 9.4
Have no Idea 8 12.5
Total 64 100
Is there sufficient number of police for
Successful crime prevention
Yes 13 20.3
No 37 57.8
Have no Idea 14 21.9
Total 64 100
Do you work with other stockholder
beside police in crime prevention
Yes 11 17.2
No 30 46.9
Have no Idea 23 35.9
Total 64 100

Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

Even if, the majority sample community respondents believe in CP officers’ lack commitment,
however, 78.1 percent of the respondent accredit community policing officers made a move to
train the community about community policing and crime prevention. The remaining 9.4 percent
responded no and 12.5 answered as they have no idea.
As depicted under table 10, 57.8 percent of the respondent replied the Bahil Adarash sub city has
not sufficient number of police for successful crime prevention, 20.3 % responded yes there is
enough number of police in the sub city and 21.9% of the respondent have no idea either or not

59
BAPD has sufficient number of police for crime prevention. This shows the majority of
respondents believe BAPD has not sufficient number of police in the sub city to effectively
tackle crime.
Crime prevention efforts should be inclusive for its success. Beside, the police organization and
community, other governmental and nongovernmental institutions have to support activities of
crime prevention. Regarding this, 46.9 percent of the household responded as beside the police
there were no organizations supporting their effort of tackling crime in the sub city. On the other
hand, 17.2 percent of respondents replied as there are organizations supporting them. This
respondents also list out the organizations and institutions work with them on the open ended
part of the questionnaire of which includes; the sub city justice and security office and the sub
city youth and women associations. The remaining 35.9 of respondents replied as they don’t
know. In line to this, Collaborative partnerships between the law enforcement agency and the
individuals and organizations they serve to develop solutions to problems and increase trust in
police. Community policing, recognizing that police rarely can solve public safety problems
alone, encourages interactive partnerships with relevant stakeholders. The range of potential
partners is large and these partnerships can be used to accomplish the two interrelated goals of
developing solutions to problems through collaborative problem solving and improving public
trust. The public should play a role in prioritizing public safety problems. Law enforcement
organizations can partner with a number of other government agencies to identify community
concerns and offer alternative solutions. Examples of agencies include legislative bodies,
prosecutors, probation and parole, public works departments, neighboring law enforcement
agencies, health and human services, child support services, ordinance enforcement, and
schools.( Green,1988)
Community policing were a system which allow and need the concerted effort and abilities of
government and other agencies to respond and address crime and social disorder issues. Thus, in
order to succeed, the police must establish partnerships with other government departments,
citizens, community leaders, business owners, schools, non-governmental organizations, other
service providers and other criminal justice agencies. They are all considered equal partners.
They all work together in order to improve the quality of life in the community. The ultimate
goal of this partnership aimed in bringing community safety.

60
Figure 13: Level of response of CP in providing early warning to crime prevention, April, 2014
(n= 64)
70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
Very high High Medium Low Very Low
Frequency 5 2 39 7 11
Percentage 7.8 3.1 60.9 10.9 17.2

Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

In accordance to early warning provided by CP for crime prevention, the majority 60.9% (n=39)
of household respondents replied that it were in medium level followed by 17.2 % (n=11) very
low and 10.9 % (n=7) low. The remaining 7.8 % (n=5) and 3.1% (n=2) of respondents said very
high and high, respectively. So the Bahil Adarash sub city community policing were found in
medium level in providing early alert for the prevention of crime.

Figure 14: Percentage distribution of successful CP prospect in the study area, April 2014
(n= 64)

Very high High Medium Low

10.7%

28.6%

23.2%

37%

61
Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

Among 56 (100%) of police respondents, 37 percent of them believes the prospect of Bahil
Adarash sub city community policing in crime prevention will be high, 28.6 responded as very,
23.2% medium and only 10.7 % of the respondents replied low. Almost 66 % of the respondents
see bright future in the success of CP in crime prevention. According to the interview with the
sub city community policing officer; he said ‘now the government began to pay the due attention
for community policing. There are extensive awareness creations begun in governmental Mass
Medias. This helps us very much.’

Table 11: Percentage and frequency distribution of police response in capability and training in
the study area April, 2014 (n= 56)

Frequency Percentage
Capability in respect to trained man power

Very high 5 8.9

High 9 16.9

Medium 12 21.4

Low 20 35.7

Very low 10 17.9

Capability in relation to logistics

Very high 5 8.9

High 6 10.7

Medium ___ __

Low 15 26.8

Very Low 30 53.6

Received on job CP training

62
 Yes 21 37.5

No 35 62.5

Police officers aware enough about CP

Yes 21 37.5

No 30 53.6

Have no idea 5 8.9

Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

For the successful crime prevention activities through CP police has to equip itself with capable
trained man power and all necessary logistics. Regarding the organizational capability of BAPD
in trained man power was evaluated by its staff police as follows. Among 56 (100%) police
respondents, the majority 35.7 percent responded as their department were found in low level in
respect to well trained man power, followed by 21.4 percent medium. 17.9 percent of the
respondents replied BAPD were found under very low status in relation to trained man power,
16.1 percent said high and the remaining 8.9 Percent responded as very high. So that most police
believes BAPD lacks efficient trained man power.

Furthermore, in relation to logistics more than half 53.6 percent of the respondents reacted as
their department was very low capability in regard to logistics, followed by 26.8 percent low and
10.7 percent were responded as medium. The remaining 8.9 percent replied that high. Finally,
almost 80 percent of the police responded as their department was poorly organized in logistics
and another 53 percent has doubt in the capability of trained man power. So that, all concerned
bodies like Hawassa city administration police, police colleges and charity organizations has
support BAPD in providing the necessary equipments and upgrading the educational status of
the sub city police.

63
As depicted in table 11, 62.5 percent of the police respondents replied they have not received on
job training to up-to-date their skill and knowledge. The remaining 37.5 percent responded as
they have taken training. Since training is one of the means to empower the employee, BAPD
has to provide on duty trainings to its staff. So far 37.5 percent of them only able to gate this
training opportunity but, the majority 62.5 percent were not able to upgrade and coup up with the
dynamic nature of crime. According to the interview with CP officer, in Police College they took
only one course regarding community policing. So that on job training seems the best way to
empower the Bahil Adarash sub city polices.

In relation to awareness of the police only 37.5 of the respondents replied as they have deep
awareness on community policing crime prevention. However, 53.6 percent responded as they
have no enough knowhow about community policing and the remaining 8.9 percent answered as
they have no idea.

Table 12: percentage and frequency distribution of police capacity and willingness in the study
area, April, 2014 (n= 56)

Frequency Percentage
Police members have adequate capacity to educate the
public
Yes 16 28.6
No 40 71.4
Willingness rate of the police towards community
policing
Very high 13 23.2
High 11 19.6
Medium 22 39.3
Low 10 17.9
Very low _____ ____
Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

64
One of the manifestations of lack of awareness is inability to educate the community. For the
question, do members of the Bahil Adarash police department have adequate capacity to educate
the public about community policing role in crime prevention?, most 71.4 percent of respondents
replied no and 28.6 percent was responded as yes. On the other hand the willingness rate of the
police towards community policing perceived by 39.3 percent of the respondents as medium
followed by 23.2 high and 19.6 percent high. The remaining 17.9 of the respondents replied
BAPD were found under low rate in willingness towards community policing.

Figure 15: Percentage and frequency distribution of respondents on number of police assigned
in Bahil Adarash sub city, April, 2014 (n = 120)

Frequency Percentage

67.5
81

20.83

25
11.6

14

Yes
No
Have no idea

Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

The number of police assigned in Bahil Adarash sub city is fifty six (BAPD). So that, 67.5
percent (n=81) of the respondents believe that aforementioned number of police is not sufficient
for effective crime prevention, 20.83 percent (n=25) replied the existing number of police were
enough and the remaining 11.6 percent (n=14) of the respondents answered they don’t have idea
regarding the number of police force.

65
Figure 16: Percentage rate of crime reduction through community policing in Bahil Adarash sub
city, April 2014(n= 56)

Frequency percentage

41.1
25
21.4

12.5
14 23
12
7
Very high
High
Medium
Low

Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

Regarding, community policing implementation and crime reduction, out 56 (100%) police
officers 89.3 percent replied after the implementation of community policing crime prevention,
crime was decreased and only 10.7 percent responded vis-à-vis.

As stated in the review literature, among various means of evaluating the success of community
policing initiatives effectiveness is one dimension. Effectiveness includes reducing crime and
decreasing citizens’ fear of crime. Thus, as observed the implementation of community policing
in crime prevention in the sub city reduced crime. However, it is essential to rate how much
community policing helped the reduction of crime in the sub city. In this case, 41.1 percent of the
police responded medium 25 percent said high and 21.4 percent replied high. Mean while, 12.5
percent of the respondents reacted as low.

66
Table 13: Percentage of community role in crime prevention as perceived by the police in the
study area, April, 2014 (n= 56)

Community role Frequency Percentage

Very high 9 16.1
High 6 10.7
Medium 24 42.9
Low 8 14.3
Very low 9 16.1
Total 56 100
Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

How the role of community in crime prevention evaluated by the police? As indicated in table
13, 42.9 percent of the police perceived the community’s role in the sub city as medium, 16.1
percent accepted it as very high, 16.1 percent replied very low and the remaining 14.3 percent
and 10.7 percent responded as low and high, respectively. Thus, table 13 infers the community
level of performance in crime prevention as medium.

Table 14: Percentage response on success and challenges of CP crime prevention in Bahil
Adarash sub city, April 2014 (n= 120)

Statements Frequency percentage

Is Cp crime prevention success full?

Yes 91 75.83
No 22 18.3

Have no idea 7 5.83

Is CP crime prevention face challenges?

Yes 87 72.5

No 25 20.83

Have no idea 8 6.6

Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

67
For the questions raised by the researcher to evaluate the success of community policing
implementation in crime prevention, 75.83 percent of the sample population replied as the
implementation of community policing in crime prevention are successful, 18.3 percent
responded as no it failed and the remaining said they have no idea.

According to the focus group discussion after CP implementation in crime prevention, previous
manifestations of Bahil Adarash sub city like, burglary, group fighting, property theft,
frightening and insulting peoples reduced in substantial level. In addition some people previously
hide criminals avoided such practice and became the right hand for police.

Based up on the interview held with sub city’s officials and community officers, implementation
of community policing crime prevention schemes was successful. According to the interviewees,
the Bahil adarash sub city community policing achieved the following successes; they were

 Each person of the community according to the schedule gets out for round at night to
keep the security of their policing site.
 In the dark areas all members of community policing site put a light on their fence.
 unemployed were organized
 people were begun to expose criminals even their relatives
 people provide the necessary information to the police
 able to organize the people in to community policing block, site and kebele

As depicted in table 14, there were challenges. In this regard 72.5 percent of sample population
believes community policing implementation of the sub city facing a variety of challenges which
made crime prevention more difficult, 20.83 of the respondents replied no challenges at all and
the remaining 5.83 percent of the respondent responded as they don’t know.

According to the information secured from focus group discussion, the participants out lined the
following things as a challenge which makes crime prevention more difficult in Bahil Adarash
sub city;

 those who hides criminals

 presence of illegal chate chewing and other drug use houses
 the existence abundant local and modern liquor houses

68
  anarchic situation in the night clubs
 corrupt police officials
 insufficient number and lack of trained police force in the sub city
 rural urban migration and
 poverty were the main pointes raised in the focus group discussion

On the other hand, according to the interviewees, community policing in Bahil Adarash sub city
increasingly became difficult because of below mentioned reasons. These were

 imbalanced efficiency and passive participation of police members

 the existence of dark area in some places
 logistic problems like absence of vehicles, computers and even stationeries
 once criminals became under custody inability to be punish them by the court of law

The participant in FGD and the interviewees point out the possible solutions that is hoped to
improve community policing implementation successfulness in the sub city. These solutions
were; educating the people to raise their awareness, creating job opportunity for the young and
unemployed, control and educate migrants from rural area, made a coordinated effort in
alleviating extreme poverty, equally give the opportunity to the community to participate
irrespective of their gender, nationality and wealth.

In addition, fighting corruption, providing in-service training, delivering necessary logistics,

involving the community in crime prevention planning and encouraging the police to be active in
community policing, were also listed as solution.

Moreover it is also vital; to reduce the number of night clubs and liquor houses, closing illegal
chate chewing and other drug providing and consuming houses, invite NGOs in the sub city’s
community policing crime prevention activities and once suspects were caught BAPD has to tray
criminals got deserved punishment by the court of laws.

69
 CHAPTER FIVE

5. Summary and Recommedation

5.1. Summary
The purpose of this study was to assess the role of community policing played in the reduction of
crime, its challenges and prospects in Bahil Adarash sub city of Hawassa city administration. To
this end, a descriptive survey method was employed. This method is believed to be appropriate
for generating adequate amount of data from a relatively large number of respondents (Creswell,
2003). The source of data for the research includes community policing officers, sample
community household, polices of the sub city and officials from sub city administration. In order
to gather relevant data on the community policing crime prevention, different instruments were
used to gather both qualitative and quantitative data which includes questionnaire, key informant
interview and FGD

The study was conducted using 120 sample households and polices. Out of the total respondents
56 of them were polices of Bahil Adarash sub city of which 87.5 percent of (n=49) were male
and 12.5 percent were female and among 64 (100%) household respondents 64.1 percent were
male and the remaining 35.9 percent were female. This infers that the number of female police
were very low as compared to that of male polices. As far as the respondent’s academic level in
the implementation of community policing crime prevention is concerned, the majority 75
percent of the police in the sub city were graduated with certificate and only the rest 25 percent
of the polices has diploma.

All of household respondents were dwellers’ of Bahil Adarash sub city of which 82.8 percent
were dwelling for more than five years. Thus, they can observe the difference in their area of pre
and post implementation of community policing crime prevention. As far as awareness matters
community policing the majority 81.3 percent of the respondents has awareness on the
implementation of community policing in the sub city. However, 62.5 percent of them were able
to explain community policing. Even if the majority of the communities have awareness of the
implementation of community policing in their locality, more than one-third of the community
till lacks know how to explain the meaning of community policing. In addition the majority 54.7
percent of the household said the police officers did not engage them in crime prevention

70
schemes. Besides, exactly half of the sample household responded as they have not regular CP
forum in their community policing site. The main constraints for this were, inability to set agreed
up on time schedule for the forum and high rate and frequent absentees.

Since the community is the central theme of community policing crime prevention, their
commitment is vital. However the commitment of the community in Bahil Adarash sub city was
received as medium. According to the finding of the study, the community awareness on crime
consequence is medium. As a result, some members of the community; hide criminals, receive or
buy materials from thieves and robbers and not cooperate the police.

Based on the findings of the study, police capacity in educating the community perceived
negatively by the police respondents and the majority of the police admit they have not sufficient
knowledge to educate the public. Since the police have to play a variety of responsibilities in the
implementation of community policing, both the sub city police and the Hawassa city
Administration police Department have to train them up to the required level. Moreover,
commitment of community policing officers in crime prevention was taken as low by the
community. Additionally, the organization of BAPD with trained polices in community policing
and all necessary logistics were marked as low and very low. According to both the community
and polices, the number of police and community policing officers assigned in Bahil Adarash
sub city were few.

The applicability of community policing philosophy and strategies in helping crime prevention
overwhelmingly accepted positively. However, in accordance to early warning provided by CP
before the occurrence of crime in the sub city was received as medium.

As to the finding of the study, the majority 75.83 percent assured the implementation of
community policing crime prevention in Bahil Adarash sub city were successful. The main
achievements were; burglary, group fighting, property theft, frightening and insulting peoples
reduced in substantial level. In addition, each person of the community according to the schedule
gets out for round at night to keep the security of their policing site, in the dark areas all
members of community policing site put a light on their fence, unemployed were organized,
people were begun to expose criminals even their relatives, people provide the necessary

71
information to the police, able to organize the people in to community policing block, site and
kebele.

The most common challenges in the implementation of community policing crime prevention in
Bahil Adarash sub city were; peoples who hides criminals, presence of many illegal chate
chewing and other drug use houses, the existence abundant local and modern liquor houses,
anarchic situation in the night clubs, corrupt police officials, insufficient number and lack of
trained police force, rural urban migration and extreme poverty. Furthermore, imbalanced
efficiency between police members, passive participation by most police members, the existence
of dark area in some places, logistic problems like absence of vehicles, computers and even
stationeries and mostly, once criminals became under custody inability to be punish them by the
court of law, were the major hindering factors of community policing implementation efforts in
tackling crime.

5.2. Recommendation
Based up on the key findings of the study, the following key points are recommended for
government offices and other stakeholders with special responsibility on community policing
and crime prevention to solve problems that hinder the efficiency of community policing
endeavor in crime prevention in the study area. To this end,

1) As to the finding of the study extreme poverty and unemployment has visible effect on
the occurrence of crime. So that, Hawassa city administration, Bahil Adarash sub city
Administration and other concerned governmental or NGOs should coordinate in an
effort to alleviate extreme poverty and creating job opportunities in the sub city.
2) The study identified the logistic capability of BAPD as very low. Moreover 62.5 percent
of the police respondents replied as they have not received on job training to up to date
their skill and knowledge. Thus, Hawassa city police head office, Bahil Adarash police
department, police colleges in the region, and concerned NGOs should provide
continuous in service training, deliver all necessary and enough logistics and ensure the
active participation of all members of the police.
3) More than one-third (37.5%) of the household lacks necessary knowledge to explain the
meaning of community policing. Furthermore, more than half of the household complain
that the police officers did not engage them in crime prevention schemes. So, BAPD

72
 should strive for; extensive awareness creation programmes, assuring equal participation
of all section of the community, engaging the community in crime prevention planning
and tighten the bond with the community.
4) This research found that the presence of abundant night clubs, liquor houses and illegal
drug use places used as a spring board for criminals. Therefore, Hawassa city
administration, Bahil Adarash sub city administration and BAPD should reduce the
number of night clubs and liquor houses as well as make them accountable for any illegal
activities done in their houses and close illegal drug use places.
5) According to the finding of the study, the implementation of community policing in Bahil
Adarash sub city were supported by no non-governmental organization. Thus, BAPD
should invite NGOs to take part in the implementation of community policing endeavors
in the sub city.
6) The study reveals some members of BAPD were engaged in corruption letting criminals
free without proper punishment. This fact created mistrust between the community and
the police. So, avoiding corruption means improving the police-community relation
hence, community policing. Therefore, BAPD has to avoid corruption committed by its
some members and do its best effort in making criminals to be punished by court of law.

73
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Appeddices

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Appendix I; List of Tables in Appendix
Table 1; List of key informant interview participants

No Name position Phone

number
1 Hifamo Hilo Bahil Adarash sub city ______
Justice and Security officer
2 Deribe Lankamo Bahil Adarash sub city 0916066958
information officer
3 Inspector Kifle Alemu Bahil Adarash sub city 0916161152
Community policing officers
4 Inspector Gizachew Girma Bahil Adarash sub city 0924302206
Community policing officers
Source; Computed from own survey data (2014)

Appendix II; Questionnaire

HAWASSA UNIVERSITY
School of Governance and Development studies
Questionnaire to be filled by Household Holds

79
Dear respondent,
This questionnaire is prepared to gather information about the role of community policing in
preventing crime in your locality. The data is intended to develop a mechanism to help improve
the efficiency of community policing in crime prevention based on your suggested solutions. In
answering my questions, please remember that there are no correct or wrong answers. I am just
after your honest opinion. The responds you provide will be kept confidential. So, my gratitude is
in advance for your time and cooperation!

Please tick in the box and explain at the space / blanks/ provided.

Part 1: Background information

1. Are you resident in Hawassa

Yes 1 No 2

2. How long have you resided in Hawassa

a. less than 1 year 1

b. less than 5 year 2

c. more than 5 year 3

3. Have you ever been involved in community policing?

Yes 1 No 2
4. Sex
Male 1 Female 2

Part 2: Research Questions

1. Do you have awareness about the function of community policing in Bahil adarash sub city?

Yes 1 11 No 2 I don’t know 3

1

80
2. Do you know what community policing means?

Yes 1 No 2

If yes, what is _____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

3. Do you think community policing helps crime prevention?

Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3
4. Are the police officers engaging you in crime prevention activity?
Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3
5. Is there a regular community policing forum in your site?

Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3

6. Does the community have role and responsibilities in crime prevention?

Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3

If yes list the role and responsibilities of the communities?

___________________________________________________________________
_____
___________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
___________________________

7. Does the community of your site play their role in community policing implementation?
Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3

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If yes, explain how?

8. What is the level of commitment of the community in participating to promote effectiveness

of community policing in preventing crime prevention?

Very high 1 High 2 medium 3 Low 4 Very low 5

9. How do you assess the community- police relationship in crime prevention?

Very high 1 High 2 Medium 3 Low 4 very low 5

10. How much is the contribution of the community in preventing the crime proactively?
Very high 1 high 2 medium 3 low 4 very low 5

11. How much is the role of community policing in preventing crime in Bahil adarash sub city?
Very high 1 High 2 Medium 3 Low 4 Very low 5

12. What is the level of the residents’ awareness about the consequences of crime?
Very high 1 high 2 medium 3 low 4 very low 5

13. Are there circumstances which make the community not to cooperate with the police?
Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3

If yes, what are the circumstances ___________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

14. Can any kind of crime in the sub city be solved through community policing?

1 2 3
82
 Yes No I don’t know

15. Do you think that community policing would be applicable in preventing dynamic and
complex crimes?

Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3

16. What is the level of commitment of community policing officers in preventing crime?

Very high 1 High 2 Medium 3 Low 4 Very low

5

17. Do community policing officers train (teach) about community policing in Bahil Adarash sub
city?

Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3

18. Do you believe the Bahil Adarash police department has a sufficient number of police
officers for successful crime prevention?
Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3

19. What is the level of response of community policing in providing early warning to crime
prevention?
1

Very high High 2 Medium 3 Low 4 Very low

5

20. Are there any challenges that affect the implementation of community policing in your site?
Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3

If yes, list them?

21. Do you think community policing implementation in your area needs some change?

Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3

83
If yes, list them _________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

22. Do you work with any stack holders in crime prevention activity?

Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3

If yes, list them 1.

2._____________________________________

3.

4.

23. In your opinion are all community policing initiatives in crime prevention successful?
Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3

23.1 If no, what hinder them?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
____________

_____________________________________________________________________
______

23.2 If yes, list the successes

_____________________________________________________________________

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 _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_______________________

24. Is there any factor that made crime prevention more difficult in Bahil Adarash sub city?

Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3

25. Could you mention some solutions about the challenges that the Bahil Adarash sub city
community policing face?
Yes 1 No 2

If yes, list them;

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________

26. Could you mention the difference between pre and post implementation of community
policing in crime prevention in Bahil Adarash sub city

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

85
______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________

86
Appendix III: Questionnaire

HAWASSA UNIVERSITY
School of Governance and Development studies
Questionnaire to be field by crime prevention Department and community policing officers

Dear respondent,
This questionnaire is prepared to gather information about the role of community policing in
preventing crime in Bahil adarash sub city. The data is intended to develop a mechanism to
help improve the efficiency of community policing in crime prevention based on your
suggested solutions. In answering my questions, please remember that there are no correct or
wrong answers. I am just after your honest opinion. The responds you provide will be kept
confidential. So, my gratitude is in advance for your time and cooperation!

Please tick in the box and explain on the space / blanks/ provided.

I. Background in formation

1. What is your rank status

Constable 1 Inspector 2 Sergeant 3 Commander 4

2. Where do you assigned

Crime prevention 1 Crime investigation 2 Administration 3
2. Sex
Male 1 Female 2
3. Academic Status
Certificate 1 Diploma 2 Bachelor Degree 3 Masters Degree 4

If other, specify_______________________________________________

II. Research question

1. How community policing helps in preventing crime in the sub city?

1 2
87
 Yes No I don’t know 3
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________
2. Does community policing pave a way for proactive measure to prevent crime in Bahil
Adarash sub city?
Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3

If No, what are the reasons?

3. How do you evaluate the prospects of community policing in successful crime prevention?
Very high 1 high 2 medium 3 low 4 very low 5

4. The level of applicability of proactive crime prevention by community policing strategy is?
Very high 1 high 2 medium 3 low 4 very low 5

5. How much capable is your department in crime prevention?

5.1 With respect to trained manpower?
Very high 1 high 2 medium 3 low 4 very low 5

5.2 With respect to logistics

Very high 1 high 2 medium 3 low 4 very low 5

6. Do you receive any kind of community policing training?

Yes No

7. Are the police officers aware enough about community policing to the extent required in the
sub city? Yes 1
No 2
I don’t know 3

88
If no, why?

8. Do you think that the police members especially those preventing crime have adequate or
proficient capacity to make aware and educate the public about crime prevention through
community policing?
Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3

If No, Why?

9. How do you rate the willingness of the police towards community policing?
Very high 1 high 2 medium 3 low 4 very low 5

10. Do you believe the Bahil Adarash police Department have a sufficient number of community
policing officers?
Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3
11. Do you believe community policing implementation in Bahil adarash helped in reducing
crime?

Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3

12. How do you rate the success of community policing in crime prevention in Bahil adarash sub
city?
Very high 1 high 2 medium 3 low 4 very low 5

13. Is the community aware of community policing in Bahil adarash sub city?

Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3

89
If No, why?

14. What is the level of the residents’ awareness about the consequences of crime?
Very high 1 high 2 medium 3 low 4 very low 5

15. How much role do the community plays in crime prevention?

Very high 1 high 2 medium 3 low 4 very low 5

16. Are there circumstances which make the community not to cooperate with the police?
Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3

If yes, list all the circumstances ______________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

17. Is community policing implementation in Bahil adarash sub city in preventing crime were
successful?
Yes 1 No 2 I don’t know 3

___________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________
18. Could you list down causes that made crime prevention difficult in the sub city?
_____

90
 _______

_______

19. Could you mention some solutions about the challenges that the Bahil Adarash sub city
community policing face?

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________

20. Mention the difference between pre and post implementation of community policing in
crime prevention in Bahil Adarash sub city

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________

91
Appendix IV
HAWASSA UNIVERSITY
School of Governance and Development Studies
Key informant interview for Bahil Adarash sub city officials and community policing
officers.
Name of the interviewee :________________________Date:__________________
Age: ______________Sex:_________________
Duration in the area:________________ Current position:________________
Educational status:______________________________

Please enormous the interviewee with respecting gender, age, religion and culture.

1. How do you explain the implementation of community policing in Bahil Adarash sub city in
relation to
 Community police relation
 Community commitment
 Police commitment
 Awareness of both police and community
 Partnership with stakeholder

2. How far the practice of community policing in the sub city helped in preventing and
reducing crime?

3. What are/were the critical challenges of community policing in Bahil adarash sub city?

4. What is the prospect of community policing in the Bahil adarash sub city?

5. What should be done to alleviate the obstacles that hinder efficient implementation of
community policing?

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Appendix V
HAWASSA UNIVERSITY
School of Governance and Development Studies
Checklist for group discussions (FGD) for Community policing site leaders
1. Do you believe that the community has role in crime prevention?

2. Being as a leader of community policing site, how do you see the initiatives of the community
in crime prevention endeavor in your community?

3. As dweller of the sub city and community policing site leader, what kind of differences you
observe in pre and post implementation of community policing in Bahil Adarash sub
city?

4. What do you think the major successes of community policing implementation in Bahil
Adarash sub city in reducing crime?

5. What do you think the critical challenges of community policing implementation in Bahil
Adarash sub city in reducing crime?

6. What solution do you suggest to alleviate the challenges that hinder efficient
implementation of community policing?

Thank you!!

93
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

The author was born on April 5, 1985 G.C (March 27, 1977 E.C) in Hawassa city, SNNPR, Ethiopia.
He attended his elementary and secondary education in Hawassa city. He joined Bahir Dar
University in 2003 and obtained his first degree in History major and Geography minor. Then he has
served at Ministry of Education for Eight years. Finally, he joined the school of Graduate Studies of
the Hawassa University in 2011 to pursue his MA degree in Governance.

94