The Role of Ward Officers in Maintaining Community Peace and Security:

Abstract

This study evaluated the role of ward officers in maintaining community peace and security in Arusha City Council, Tanzania. The study specifically sought to: find out peace and security threats experienced by ward officers, identify strategies used by ward officers in maintaining community peace and security, find out the effectiveness of the strategies and identify challenges faced by ward officers in maintaining community peace and security in Arusha City Council. The study used mixed research approach and a parallel convergent design in gathering data. The sample frame was 40 respondents including Ward Executive Officers, Ward Health Officers, Ward Police Officers and Ward Councilors. Questionnaires and face to face interview were used to collect data from participants. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Findings showed that; crime, domestic violence, alcohol abuse, theft, drug addiction of youth, theft and robbery, criminal activities and accidents were the main peace and security threats experienced by Ward Officers in the study area. Ward officers apply utilization of neighborhood watch and street meetings, civilian education, community-based policing and patrol and supporting private security guards as strategies in maintaining community peace and security. These strategies were found to be effective in maintaining community peace and security. Identified challenges faced by ward officers in maintaining community peace and security were; lack of adequate tools, lack of community participation and cooperation, corruption among security leaders, shortage of security resources and personnel and lack of proper security plans. The study concluded that ward officers as local government leaders have to identify peace and security threats so that they can mobilize the available resources to ensure their communities attain sustainable peace and safety. Challenges identified herein can be overcome through formulation of proper security plans that utilize partnership between ward officers and the community in identifying appropriate strategies to maintaining Peace and security at ward level.