What is the state of police accountability in Tanzania? This report from the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative examines the development of the Tanzanian police force and the legal and political context within which it operates to assess the likelihood of progress toward a more democratic and accountable police service. It concludes that while Tanzania’s police force is currently underfunded and characterised by too much discretion and little accountability, the country is ready for and needs effective police reform.
Tanzania’s political history has significantly influenced the character and quality of its police force. Emerging at independence with a single party state, the priority for the police became keeping the ruling party in power as opposed to providing accountable policing. As a result, a culture of corruption, impunity, and violence pervades the police force, undermining citizen trust and respect for the rule of the law. Further deficiencies include the lack of adequate transparency within the police force, with secrecy frustrating reform efforts; inadequate internal and external accountability mechanisms; an insufficient number of police officers; and underfunding and lack of facilities, equipment and training.
To reform its police force, Tanzania must build upon a framework based on principles of accountability, where clear standards are established and appropriate sanctions put in place for those who transgress. The police should be accountable both to the government and to the citizens. Reform must be comprehensive to be effective, encompassing all sectors and actors within the justice system. Several challenges emerge, however, when implementing reform within the Tanzanian context:
- Regime style policing is codified in the primary legislative act that governs police activity, thereby sanctioning unaccountable and undemocratic methods.
- Direct presidential control over the police force allows for significant political interference in operations.
- Police working conditions are detrimental to morale and are not conducive to developing a sense of professional pride. Specifically, honesty is not sufficiently rewarded.
Given these challenges, efforts at restoring democratic ideals and introducing true accountability in the Tanzanian police force should begin with the basics. Legislation is a good starting point, but it must be supported by the introduction of mutually reinforcing mechanisms to ensure adherence and sustainability. Progress will be gradual; therefore commitment must be assured and long term in scope. Key recommendations for reforms include:
- Increase the police budget: Provide sufficient funds for the police to adequately perform their duties.
- Undertake and implement legislative reforms: Review all laws related to policing to ensure clarity of roles, responsibilities, and standards of ethics. Also emphasize the right to information to reduce the culture of secrecy.
- Establish and strengthen independent mechanisms for accountability: Set up an external complaints body to handle police malfeasance while strengthening the independence and capabilities of senior leadership and existing mechanisms.
- Implement operational reforms: Codify better standard operating procedures for policing and improve the welfare of police officers to reduce the opportunities and incentives for corruption and extortion.
- Build political will: Reform must find support at the top to be effective. Intensive advocacy is needed to convince unresponsive leaders of the need for critical police reform.
