Community Policing and Security in Nigeria

The objective of this paper is to make an overview of community policing in Nigeria. Community policing is a philosophy that started many decades back in the United Kingdom and United States, but did not come to Nigeria until 2004. This policing strategy has been incorporated into modern policing so that the police will respond to democratic system of governance. Community policing should be welcomed not only because traditional policing has been failing because it is reactive rather than proactive, but also, the police personnel are part and parcels of the community that they serve. Three strategies make community policing quite distinct from traditional policing: community partnership, organizational transformation, and problem-solving. Looking at the prevailing insecurity in Nigeria, adherence to the principles of community policing will help the Nigeria Police Force to overcome the security challenges. The paper reviewed some of the challenges the program faced amongst the Police Force, community, as well as those emanating from the government. To overcome these challenges, the paper suggested an integrated effort from these three structures, such as reorientation programs for the police and the community, fighting corruption, and to ensure that the rule of law is obeyed by the police, community and the political leaders.