Challenges Facing Police Force in Implementing Community Policing In Tanzania

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the challenges facing police force in implementing community policing in Tanzania; A case of Rombo district. The study guided by the three research objectives which are; Specific challenges faced by police officers when implementing community policing in Rombo District, examining the factors influencing to the challenges encountered by police officers in implementing community policing in Rombo District and examining the measure sin addressing the identified challenges in the implementation of community policing in Rombo District. The Diffusion of Innovations Theory, Implementation theory and Social Exchange theory guided this study. The study adopted a convergent design under a mixed research approach. The researcher used a mixed-methods approach in data collection, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative methods. This study target, 1 OCD, 3 Senior police officers, 45 regular police officers, 12 ward police officers, 18 village chairpersons, and 7 ward executive officers in Rombo District which make a total number of 110 population. The sample size for this study determined by the using Yamane (1967) formula which got 86 respondents. The researcher used both probability (simple random) and non-probability (purposive) sampling techniques in this study. Data collection methods included questionnaires and interviews. For quantitative data, a researcher analyzed data with the assistance of computer software called Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22. The quantitative data presented in form of tables and figures. The analysis of qualitative data (interviews) done by using thematic analysis. The study findings revealed that the implementation of community policing in Rombo district faced several significant challenges, including building community trust, securing adequate funding, managing internal resistance, overcoming language barriers, adapting organizational culture, and addressing economic disparities. Institutional factors such as socio-economic disparities, resistance to change, inadequate training, staffing shortages, limited resources, and cultural diversity further complicate these efforts. However, the study suggests that these challenges can be effectively addressed through measures such as increasing community outreach and engagement, enhancing officer training, allocating sufficient resources, fostering a collaborative culture within police departments, establishing community partnerships, and providing cultural competency training for officers. Therefore, there is strong relationship between challenges facing police force in implementing community policing in Tanzania specifically in Rombo district.