EXAMINING THE INFLUENCE OF PEOPLE’S PERCEPTIONS ON COMMUNITY POLICING AND CRIME PREVENTION IN MBARARA CITY

Background: Old-style policing methods have tended to focus on controlling crime through enforcement of the law and largely on reactive responses. Community policing on the other hand, seek to identify environments which cause crime and consequently focus on prevention of crime whilst working with community members. This study sought to accentuate these collaborations between the police and community and how the partnership promotes crime prevention in emerging cities in Uganda, taking Mbarara city as a case. Methods: This study adopted a descriptive design with a qualitative approach. Data from 183 respondents was garnered through focus group discussion and direct interview from Uganda Police/sister security agencies and varied community members. Results: The study finds that people’s perception is vital in the success of any intervention. Relatedly, people’s existent beliefs and attitudes act as sieves in determining how they perceive information and consequently support or reject it all together. The study further finds that stereotypes, and negative perspectives about community policing can change through intentional interactions and meaningful engagements with community members. Albeit, there has not been any significant engagements, no trainings or serious sensitization about community policing in Mbarara City. This is also true among Police Constables who are supposed to be the first line officials in sensitizing the masses about the intervention. The relationship between the police and the community in Mbarara City is pitiable. Community policing could be estimable in reducing crime in the city if appropriate intervention avenues were adhered to. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that community policing is essential in creating trust and collaboration between the police and community members, especially in the process of preventing crime. This paradigmatic shift in law enforcement philosophy demands focused capacity building of all stakeholders involved in the chain of crime prevention.