COMMUNITY POLICING AND CRIME MANAGEMENT IN THE WA MUNICIPALITY, UPPER WEST REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

The connection between security and development cannot be overstated. This is because human security is a vital objective of development which when not in place can have negative consequences for development. Crime is one of the major precipitators of insecurity globally, and capable of impeding development. The continuous increase in high rate of crime even in the presence of traditional policing is said to have triggered the call for shift from military-based policing to a democratic-based policing, thus, community policing which focuses on preventing crime. The Ghana Police Service adopted this trending approach for crime prevention and management in the country. However, crime rate continue to rise, especially in the Wa Municipality. This study therefore investigated the prospects of Community Policing Approach (CPA) for crime management in the Wa Municipality, Ghana. It specifically investigated common crimes in the area, the effect of crime on development and the effectiveness of community policing strategies and community participation in the Municipality. The research adopted an explorative sequential mixed method in a study of four communities, namely, Bamahu, Dondoli, Kumbiehe, and Mangu, and applied focus group discussions, key informant interviews and and a survey for data collection and analysis. First, the results show that stealing (theft), burglary, robbery, assault, threat to harm, unlawful damage, unlawful harm, possession of narcotic drugs, and abortion are the common crimes in the Municipality. Secondly, that crime affect development by creating fear among residents; causing psychological trauma to the victims and relatives; engendering financial bankruptcy/loss of income to the direct and indirect victims; causing loss of properties; adversely affecting private investments, school enrolment and educational achievements ; and reducing trust in interpersonal relationship among community members. Thirdly, that community participation and community policing is not effective in the Municipality due to ineffective strategies, lack of trust and public confidence in the Police. To improve CP, the study recommends revamping of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee (NWC), which existed prior to Community Police Assistants (also known as CPAs) as part of the CPA infrastructure for enhancing trust, cooperation and community participation in community policing.