Post-War Policing by Communities in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Rwanda

Author: Baker Bruce  

Publisher: Routledge Ltd

ISSN: 1741-9166

Source: Democracy and Security, Vol.3, Iss.2, 2007-05, pp. : 215-236

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

The article demonstrates that community-based policing in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Rwanda has survived conflict, but that its variable form and function is in part the product of conflict. Conflict has shaped public attitudes to state policing, the ideology, and the insecurity of the resultant regime, and state capacity. In these three cases community-based policing usually has some form of relationship with the state police and is not without support, legitimacy, effectiveness, and a modicum of accountability. In a context of limited state police resources, community-based policing is not to be dismissed lightly as a significant security provider for post-war democracies.