Abstract:
This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of criminal intelligence skills in
community policing to enhance crime prevention in Moshi Municipal Council.
Specifically, the study sought to examine the effectiveness of information-gathering
skills, analysis skills, and dissemination skills in supporting community policing
initiatives for crime prevention. Adopting an interpretivism philosophy, the study
employed a qualitative research approach, focusing on collecting and analysing non
numerical data to gain deep insights into the role of criminal intelligence skills in
community policing. A case study research design was used to capture insights at a
specific point in time, providing a snapshot of current practices and their
effectiveness in crime prevention. The targeted population included community
police officers, intelligence officers, and community members within Moshi
Municipal Council. Purposive sampling was applied to ensure the inclusion of
participants with relevant experience in community policing and criminal
intelligence. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group
discussions, allowing for in-depth exploration of participants' perceptions and
experiences. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify key themes and patterns in
the data. The findings revealed that effective information-gathering skills, analysis
skills, and dissemination skills significantly contribute to enhancing crime prevention
efforts in community policing. Information gathering enabled proactive identification
of potential threats, analysis skills facilitated understanding of crime trends, and
dissemination skills improved timely sharing of intelligence with relevant
stakeholders. However, the study also identified resource constraints and training
gaps as challenges to fully leveraging these skills in community policing. The study
concludes that strengthening criminal intelligence skills is essential for effective
community policing and crime prevention. It recommends that Moshi Municipal
Council invest in continuous training and capacity building for community policing
personnel to optimise intelligence processes and enhance public safety. The study
underscores the importance of fostering intelligence-sharing practices to create a
resilient community policing model capable of adapting to emerging crime
challenges.
