Forty Community Liaison Officers Trained in Community Policing, Equipped with Competence to Manage Crime

By Ivan Kaahwa

The Uganda Police Force, in collaboration with Makerere University, has successfully concluded an induction training course for community liaison officers. These officers will be deployed to enforce the sub-county community policing model in areas identified as requiring special attention.

Makerere University’s research in Makindye, Kawempe, Nansana, and Mpigi highlighted the need to enhance community policing, prompting a reassessment of the philosophy to achieve a crime-free society and promote peace within communities.

Dr. Veneranda Mbabazi, an Associate Professor at Makerere University, emphasized the importance of reskilling and retooling programs for both the police and the community to achieve effective community policing. Makerere University offers master’s programs in peace and conflict resolution studies to police officers, simultaneously engaging the community in understanding the significance of a crime-free society.

Veneranda acknowledged the government’s commitment to addressing the basic needs of police officers, underscoring the pivotal role they play in spearheading effective community policing strategies.

The group of forty police officers who have benefited from the training includes regional community liaison officers, community liaison officers, and district commanders in areas identified by research findings.

The officers underwent training in policy, customer care management, and establishing partnerships with the community to solve problems, with a strong emphasis on crime prevention. They were equipped with competence in using technology to enhance crime management effectiveness, fostering confidence and cooperation within the community.

To support research and capacity building addressing societal needs in crime management, the government annually allocates a grant of up to 30 billion Shs to Makerere University. Dr. Hellen Nkabala, a MEMBER of the GRANTS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE overseeing the government grant, stated that the university collaborates with the community to address various challenges, providing interventions in the sciences, hard sciences, and humanities to ensure an effective response to community concerns recognized by the Ugandan government.

Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor of the Police Senior Command and Staff College Bwebajja, Assistant Commissioner of Police Alungat Barbara, highlighted the community’s crucial role in informing researchers that the police were instrumental in responding to their challenges. She emphasized the need to train lower-ranking officers in dealing with communities, ensuring they understand specific contexts and respond appropriately.

Alungat highlighted how police officers have been capacitated to use technology for data collection and feedback, with support from the Directorate of ICT. This underscores the importance of community policing, emphasizing the central role of partnerships and communities while ensuring each officer is aware of the unique characteristics of the community they serve, as community needs vary depending on jurisdiction.

The project aims to benefit over 400 trained individuals from religious, community, traditional, and local councils, strengthening cooperation between the police and the community.

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