Police services that enjoy community support and improve security can have a positive impact on development. In this way, police reform has become a key element of conflict management. Drawing on a two-day workshop organised by the International Peace Academy and Saferworld, this report proposes an implementation framework for community-based policing. It emphasises the importance of a clear philosophy, a carefully thought-out plan and a well-managed process to achieve it.
Donors and international organisations are becoming increasingly involved in police reform. The task is complex and often encounters political, financial, logistical and historical obstacles. A better understanding of what is required for effective police reform is essential. A community-based approach aims both to reform the police and to improve their public image. It is not confined to dealing with crime, but proposes that police and communities work together to address citizens’ concerns. If successful, it can support development, as well as boosting security. Besides a well-planned strategy for reform, a minimum level of order and political commitment are required to make it work. International actors need to co-ordinate their work based on a shared understanding of goals.
The community-policing programme in Sierra Leone has been particularly successful. Overall, police reform initiatives can be hindered by the following:
- International officers involved in reform tend to import their own styles of policing and have skills of varying quality. It is difficult to find adequately trained personnel.
- There is insufficient co-ordination between the various agencies involved in police reform, including donors. Many initiatives lack a sequenced approach that maps out objectives and the steps needed to achieve them.
- There is not enough information available about actors’ experiences of community-based policing and lessons learned. Evaluation has not been adequately incorporated into programme design.
- Objectives are rarely supported by adequate funding. Donor commitment tends to be too short-term to sustain reform.
- Not enough effort is being made to tackle resistance to reform within police forces.
An implementation framework is required for community-based policing. This would set out a managed process of change that is based on comprehensive strategic planning. Goals must be clearly defined and relevant to the reform context. Consultation should be broad-based and progress measured using benchmarks. The framework should include the following stages:
- Pre-engagement analysis and assessment: Reforms need to be informed by a thorough contextual analysis and an assessment of needs and resources. Nine strands of consultative analysis are proposed.
- Design and planning: This should build on the results of phase one. All actors should accept the principles of community-based policing. Donors and the government must agree on the nature of the programme.
- Defining priorities, setting objectives, devising financially sound action plans, setting benchmarks for monitoring and evaluation, and creating conflict-resolution mechanisms.
- Managing the implementation: During implementation, it is important to monitor progress, ensure continuing oversight and keep sight of goals. The involvement of stakeholders should be strengthened and broadened.
- Evaluation and drawback: Ultimately, the reform process should be able to proceed without international involvement. Ongoing evaluation can help pinpoint the right time for international actors to start withdrawing.
