The Role of Information and Communication Technology for Effective Crime Detection and Prevention In Tanzania Police Force

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a catch-all term for a variety of tools for obtaining, storing, retrieving, processing, analyzing, and transmitting data. It is extremely helpful in the legal system, both for enforcing the law and prosecuting offenders. The Tanzanian police force has been used as the law enforcement agency in this study to evaluate the role of information and communication technology (ICT) for effective crime management (detection and prevention) in Tanzania police force. This study examined the extent to which the Tanzania Police officers can use ICT tools in the detection and prevention of crime, to determine the impact of using ICT tools on police daily duties of policing on regard to crime detection and prevention and to determine the effective measures that can be employed among the police officers in Tanzania to enhance them on effective use of ICT in crimes detection and prevention. These objectives lead the researcher on this study to use a survey design because it enables for the quick and precise identification of the sample characteristics for a big population. Survey design is most suitable for educational research findings since it is more flexible and inexpensive, also surveys are useful for figuring out the attitudes, beliefs, and views of research participants. In order to collect and analyze data, this study used a mixed-methods research design that combines qualitative and quantitative techniques. The study conducted in Arusha city whereby simple random and stratified sampling techniques have been used and samples of ninety two (92) respondents (police officers) from RPC and RTO offices in Arusha were selected for this study. Primary data collected by using questionnaires and interviews and the data analyzed by using content analysis and descriptive analysis and the result presented on tables, charts and supporting explanations from field findings.