A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CONDITIONS PRECEDENT AND PROBLEMS INHERENT IN IMPLEMENTING COMMUNITY POLICING IN EBONYI STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

This study analyses the conditions precedent and problems inherent in implementing community policing in Ebonyi State Nigeria. To achieve this, a survey research design was employed. In the survey research design, questionnaires were used to collect data from the population. The sample population was extracted from two local Governments Areas in each of the three zones of Ebonyi State. Ebonyi North, Ebonyi South and Ebonyi Central. To get the proportionate sample from each zone of the state, multi-stage random sampling technique was adopted. The results of the analysis revealed that the knowledge of community policing among the communities is low, hence there is great and urgent need to create awareness of community policing in the state. The study found that this can be achieved through the use of such strategies as village meetings, town criers, mass media (electronic and print) and use of NGO’s. The results further disclosed that criminals live and are well known within the society but extended family system in our traditional setting prevents people from disclosing criminals. The study concluded that community policing cannot thrive in Ebonyi State unless there is a deliberate sensitisation of the people. The study therefore, recommended inter alia; that the police in partnership with the communities, individuals, groups, government and NGO’s should embark on immediate sensitisation of people using the aforementioned media to promote community policing awareness; that the National Assembly, as a matter of urgency should enact a law on community policing especially in the area of funding and training of community policing officers in Nigeria; among other recommendations.