AN EXPLORATION OF THE COMPLEMENTARY ROLE OF PRIVATE SECURITY ACTORS IN POLICING AND ITS IMPLICATION FOR POLICE ADMINISTRATION: TAMALE METROPOLIS IN PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The nexus between security and development cannot be over-emphasized, given that human security is an important objective of development and its absence has negative consequences for development. In spite of private security actors contribution to national security, there have not been any empirical studies to enumerate and map these private security actors, audit their activities, and profile the social and political implications for the police administration in Ghana. The study aimed at analysing the complementary role of private security actors in the policing of Ghana and its implication for the police administration, with the focus on Tamale Metropolis. In all, 85 private security personnel, 47 police personnel, two personnel in managerial position in the police service, six officials from management of the private security actors and 130 members of the general public participated in the study. Sampling of the respondents was done through purposive sampling and simple random sampling. Data collection was through interviews and questionnaires while data analysis was done using the Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS), version 18. The study concluded that the police service has not complemented their patrol activities frequently with the private security actors. Also, the working relationship between the two parties has been partially effective due to the inadequate platforms for both parties to complement their activities together. The study recommended that enough platforms should be created to enhance the collaboration of the two parties by indulging in patrols together, maintaining orderliness in political rallies, and attending to emergencies together. Effective training programmes should also be organized by private security actors during recruitment of their personnel.