EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNITY POLICING AS A STRATEGY OF ON CRIME

PREVENTION IN THE RURAL AREAS. A SURVEY OF ZIMUTO POLICING

DISTRICT, ZIMBABWE.

Start by a well constructed cover page containing the university logo, department,
program, title of dissertation, I advise you to check on previous dissertations and see how a
cover page is designed.

Write chapter 1

It starts as follows

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction-

i. should be a single paragraph telling us what the chapter is all about

1.1 Background to the study.

i. Follow a funnel approach where you explore the concept from a global perspective,
regional perspective and finally local context . in other words we are looking at what
has happened with community policing in US, EUROPE, ASIA etc, then AFRICAN
COUNTRIES and in zimbabwe. Follow that order. Include relevant statistics

1.2 Statement of the problem

i. Clearly state the problem focusing in zimbabwe hence your sorces should be in
zimbabwe include statistics
ii. The problem should justify the need for your research hence it should be clear from
the onset. Make sure the opening statement is about the problem at hand

1.3 Research aim/purpose of the study

1.4 research objectives

i. Formulate 4 key objectives to achieve the reseach aim

 ii. The fourth objective should be to recommend
iii. Take note; each objective should start as follows ; To identify…., To assess…etc

1.5 research questions

i. These should be in line with your objectives in their order

1.6 Significance of the study

i. This should be a dressed to various stake holders who may benefit from your
research eg the community, government, the police, as well as to theory
development

1.7 Assumptions of the study

1.8Delimitations of the study.

i. These are the boundaries which include time, jurisdiction/place, methodology,

theoretical delimitations form a single paragrapgh and justify why you chose those
delimitations

1.9 Limitations to the study

Eg resources, confidentiality, respondent bias etc which limit the study

1.10 Definition of key terms

1.11 Organinsation of the study

Chapter summary

Abstract

This research intent to understand the community policing experiences of Masvingo Zimuto
communal lands as a strategy of crime prevention. Community policing is a strategic
consideration for contemporary policing, especially when police and worldwide organizations
seek cost effective and sustainable methods of combating crime. The principle of community
policing also recognizes the community and its leaders as equal partners in crime reduction and
prevention. Hence the research seek to understand the kind of crime and experiences of crime
and policing initiatives by the ZRP Masvingo Rural in the Zimuto communal lands to prevent
and combat pervasive crimes .The research will also seek to evaluate the role of traditional
leaders in community policing and crime prevention .The study findings will expectedly be used
to inform best practices on security, safety and crime prevention in general and the role of
community policing in rural communities.

The research main aim and objectives of the Research are:

 To understand the kind of crime and experiences of crime and policing initiatives by the
ZRP Masvingo Rural in the Zimuto communal lands to prevent and combat pervasive
crimes .
 To determine the current relation of the police and the community to fight crime jointly
by means of community policing relations.
 To describe the legal framework that underpins community policing as a policing strategy
in Zimbabwe
 To determine international best practices in the implementation of community policing
 To establish the crime rate in the Zimuto communal lands
 To determine, through proper consultation, the basic needs of the community and the
policing priorities
 To obtain opinions from different role players in community policing regarding the value
it adds to the prevention of crime
 To make recommendations on the improvement of community policing relations to
prevent crime

[1.0] Introduction
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (1994), Trojanowicz (1994) and Office of Community
Oriented Policing Services (COPS 2008) described community policing as a social contract
between the police and the community to help identify and solve crime-related problems in
communities. Further, Peak (1994) stated that such a partnership is a contemporary policing
philosophy that advances a cooperative premise for crime prevention. Therefore, community
policing can be viewed as a proactive approach that brings together the police and the
community in the fight against crime. It provides a framework within which members of the
community can be active participants in the quest to prevent crime and enhance safety in their
neighbourhoods. In terms of Zimbabwean police Act Chapter 11:10, community policing is a
system in use that necessitates the involvement of local communities, civil, business, community
leaders, members of the public and the private sector, local residents, religions, education and
health centres. People who have the same concern for the well-being of their neighbourhood take
responsibility for protecting that welfare (Kiarie 2012). Policing by the community is supported
by national leaders at all levels of the Zimbabwean Government and it should be perceived as a
collective responsibility for all members of communities for the purpose of crime prevention.
Community policing refers to a method encompassing several philosophies and approaches that
require the participation of members of society as well as of the police. Community policing is a
strategy that varies, based on the requirements and possible solution of the public members and
the police included in partnership in which some primary concerns and co-operations are simple
to many of the individuals during policing efforts (Denzin & Lincoln, 2005). For the purpose of
this study, preventing crime is a strategy used that includes a number of fundamental and
practical approaches and it requires the participation of both community members and police
officers.

The Zimbabwean police Act Chapter 11:10 stresses that crime prevention is a plan of action that
focuses on individual groups which are at a danger of either becoming suspects or becoming
targets of offence, for instance, the vulnerable in the society, young people, old persons and
children and the disabled ones. Prevention of crime is to design schedules that deal with the
weak people as well as programmes that deal with reducing the chances of committing crime in
the short and long-term. Murphy (2000), states that preventing crime does not only target the
causes of offences, but in the long term, it may do so in the most cost effective way. Prevention
of crime involves all activities that aim to reduce, discourage or prevent the occurrence of certain
criminalities; first, by changing specific circumstances, second, by altering the situations
perceived to have caused them, and third, by introducing a powerful discouragement by means of
a strong system of criminal justice (Shiner, Thom & MacGregor, 2004) Community policing is
known as involvement in action and it requires collective participation of all persons in
communities and at all different levels of government set ups and private sectors. Crime
prevention is known to be the expectation, acceptance and appreciation of a criminal situation
and creation of a decision to change and diminish it. Crime prevention is an important approach
that should consider the use of public awareness campaigns as preventative measures to diminish
crime. For a better understanding of this research, prevention of crime means to endeavour
reducing, deterring crime and criminal activities. It is applied when government actors make
efforts to minimise crime, enforce the law and maintain public law and order (Jonyo & Buchere,
2011).Regarding crime prevention, Teffo-Menziwa, Mullick and Dlamini (2010) identified the
following as some of the roles of traditional leaders in community and prevention.

Role of traditional leaders.

• preside over customary law courts and help to maintain law and order

• assist members of the community in their dealings with the state

• advise the government on traditional affairs within their communities

• convene meetings to discuss contemporaneous issues with communities

• protect cultural values and inculcate a sense of belonging in their areas of jurisdiction.

As such, it is cogent that traditional leaders have a critical role in community policing and crime
prevention. They have an inalienable duty—similarly vested on regular law enforcement agents
—to maintain law and order in their communities. In their role as custodians of custom and
culture, traditional leaders help to promote social order and harmony in their communities.
However, unlike the legal systems of Namibia and Botswana, that of Zimbabwe has taken
control of customary courts and integrated customary law into the formal legal system. This,
argued Keulder (1998), has deprived traditional leaders of their central authority and functions.
Customary authority is now regulated by the state and their functions made to align with Western
and international law.

Traditional leaders may use several strategies to enhance peaceful environments in them
communities. Marshall (1998) identified restorative justice as one of these strategies. He
explained that restorative justice is an approach in which parties to a specific offence resolve
their problems collectively and deal with the aftermath of the offence and its implications for the
future. Such an approach involves restoring justice to the victim(s), the offender and the damage
caused by the crime to the community. Palmary (2004) also identified mediation as another
strategy for restoring justice in the community. This strategy enhances peace building and
reconciliation between people in a social setting. Most criminal cases identified in rural
communities have an element of violence, for instance, assaults, domestic violence and sexual
gender-based violence, to mention but a few. Healthy social norms can be employed to prevent
such crimes as rape, assaults and general misunderstandings between close relatives or extended
families. Undoubtedly, traditional leaders have a compelling duty to ensure that cultural norms
and values are preserved in their communities. Mutanana and Bukaliya (2015) also believed that
traditional leaders are significant stakeholders in mobilising the participation of rural
communities in community policing initiatives. As such, it is imperative that there is synergy and
cooperation between the police and traditional leaders in implementing a community policing
strategy.

2.0 Objectives of the Study

1. To shift from traditional policing methods to more proactive strategies that involve
community engagement.

Hermon Goldstein Often credited with laying the groundwork for community-oriented policing.
highlighted the need for police to focus on the underlying causes of crime rather than merely
responding to incidents after they occur.

2. To involve community involvement in defining problems and developing solutions

David Weisburd's research has focused on the effectiveness of community policing and problem-
oriented policing strategies. He emphasizes the importance of community involvement, which is
crucial for the success of crime prevention efforts.

3. To create safer environments

C. Ray Jeffery introduced the concept of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design
(CPTED), His work underscores the role of community engagement in reducing crime through
environmental modifications.

4. To highlight the importance of social cohesion and informal social control in

neighborhoods.

Robert Sampson research findings suggest that communities with strong social ties are more
effective in preventing crime, supporting the principles of community policing.

5. To highlight the importance of partnerships between police and community members to

enhance public safety.

Jose Docobo in his work on homeland security argues that community policing serves as a
foundational strategy for local law enforcement in preventing terrorism and crime.

6. To see how community policing can address both crime and social disorder

Greene and National Research Council have discussed the evolution of community policing and
its components, including community partnerships, organizational transformation, and problem-
solving strategies.

2.1 Research Questions

1. How effective is community policing in reducing crime rates compared to traditional policing
methods?

2. What factors influence community members' willingness to engage with law enforcement in
community policing initiatives?
3. How does community policing affect public perceptions of safety and trust in law
enforcement?

4. What are the main barriers to implementing community policing in urban versus rural
settings?

5. Which specific crime prevention strategies employed in community policing have shown the
most success in various communities?

6. What are the long-term effects of community policing on crime rates and community
relations?

7. How can technology be leveraged to enhance community policing efforts and improve
communication between law enforcement and community members?

References

Bureau of Justice Assistance (1994) Understanding Community Policing: A Framework for

Action. Washington, DC: Community Policing Consortium.
Chari T (2009). Ethical challenges facing Zimbabwean media in the context of the Internet.
Global Media Journal African Edition 2009 3(1): 46-79. https://doi.org/10.5789/3-1-19

Comaroff J and Comaroff JL (eds) (2006) Law and disorder in the Postcolony. Chicago:
University of Chicago Press

Creswell JW (1994) Research designs: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thousand Oaks,
CA: Sage Publications.

Dodoi O (2013) Traditional leadership systems and gender recognition in Zimbabwe.

International Journal of Gender and Women’s Studies 1(1): 29–44. DOI: 10.15640/ijgws.

Friedmann RR (1996) Community policing: Some conceptual and practical considerations.

Home Affairs Review 44(6): 114–123.

Ibrahim Jahun S (2015) The roles and challenges of traditional rulers in land conflicts and
management in Nigeria—A case study of Bauchi state in Nigeria. Paper presented at FIG
Working Week, Wisdom of the Ages to the Challenges of the Modern World, 17–21 May. Sofia,
Bulgaria.

Keulder C (1998) Traditional Leaders and Local Government in Africa: Lessons for South
Africa. South Africa: HSRC Press.

Makahamadze T, Grand N and Tavuyanago B (2009) The role of traditional leaders in fostering
democracy, justice and human rights in Zimbabwe. The African Anthropologist 16(1): 33–47

remove all this and start working on what I have advised above. You just search for
journals related to the topic and come up with the work.

Note: On referencing please make sure that the references are recent ie from 2020-2024. If it
comes to the worst let them be from 2017. Make sure intext referencing is done well

ii. To identify the community policing initiatives in Zimuto Policing District

iii. To determine the factors that influence community willingness to engage law
enforcement in community policing in Zimuto Policing district.
 iv. To evaluate the effectiveness of community policing on crime prevention in Zimuto
Policing District.
v. To suggest possible strategies to enhance the effectiveness of community policing
strategies for crime prevention in rural areas.

Then form research questions basing on these objectives . you can work on your own
objectives if you think of something else. This is just a guide

Read the instructions carefully and thoroughly do the thing. Avoid excessive use of AI it
generates fake information sometimes. Rely on published journals and paraphrase

I expect to see your chapter 1 on 23 January 2025.