Community-based policing case study

Professional and accountable police forces play a vital role in creating the safe and secure conditions in which people are able to prosper. This case study shows how an innovative and democratic style of police reform in Kenya is helping to improve some of the lives of Africa’s poorest.

CBP women in Isiolo training

“Before community-based policing was introduced in Isiolo, gunshots were a common occurrence. But now, things have changed for the better.’’ Charity worker, Isiolo

Isiolo in Northern Kenya was known as the ‘arms supermarket’ of Kenya. Schools were forced to shut down and shops closed early. That was before Saferworld in partnership with the Office of the President, Kenya Police, Administration Police, and local partner PeaceNet introduced community-based policing to the area.

As the gateway to the vast and arid Northern Frontier of Kenya, rural Isiolo lies at the centre of a vast arms trafficking network, with the availability of weapons contributing to crime and insecurity. As recently as 2001, it was reported that almost every household possessed an illegal firearm. Exchanges of gunfire and the death, displacement and injury of civilians were common-place alongside incidences of rape, abduction, banditry and largescale commercial cattle rustling.

"Most schools had been closed down due to insecurity in Isiolo. Now, a total of 16 schools have re-opened and learning is going on without interruption." Isiolo resident

To improve the security and safety of Isiolo’s residents, Saferworld and local partners have helped to build structures so that communities can work with the police to find local solutions to these local crime problems. A number of community policing forums and assemblies have been set up that provide a platform for the public to engage with the police leading to a significant drop in crime.

From the beginning of the project, the communities and police worked together to set three community-based policing objectives:

To prevent crime, improve community safety and reduce illicit small arms proliferation
To strengthen the coordination of key institutions charged with community safety
To improve the level of partnership, communication and interaction between the police and communities.

The positive impact of CBP in Isiolo

Co-operation between the police and community improved greatly which has led to the success of the project. At the start of the project, police officers were deployed to clean up the local market place and community representatives painted the police station. The community has built accommodation for officers and kennels for police dogs. This visible cooperation has helped build trust.

District steering committees and community safety forums involving community representatives and members of the local police forces are now held regularly to allow community members to raise their security and safety concerns. Communities are now also more willing to report crimes and are able to volunteer information to the police through information boxes.

Education is also once again flourishing as schools re-open and tourism has also improved - 80% of Isiolo County Council’s revenue is being generated from lodges which are now registering booming business due to increased security.

Building upon the successes and experience from the pilot sites, community based policing is now being extended to other parts of the country.

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