Abstract
Policing in Nigeria has never been this challenging. Aside from accusations of violence and brutality, the police are widely regarded as ineffective and inefficient. While insecurity surges across the country, regional security networks are springing up in an uncoordinated manner, raising questions about ownership and control. This further gave rise to agitations for either community policing and state police from the political class, civil societies, and traditional institutions. This chapter situates police violence in the context of the popular #EndSARS# protest and reviews issues surrounding police reforms in Nigeria. Within the context of the challenging insecurity in the north central region, the chapter looks at the merits and demerits of community police and state police to determine what works and makes recommendations on the appropriate policing strategy in the region.
TopBackground
The history of policing in Nigeria can be traced to the colonial period when the British authorities imposed various aspects of their cultures and traditions including politics and economy on captured territories as a way of expanding their influence and dominance (Audu, 2016). During this period, the British colonial government established the police force and employed them as constabulary and para-military forces for colonial wars and punitive expeditions. In many areas, the police engaged in the brutal subjugation of communities and the suppression of resistance to colonial rule (Jonson, 2013). This orientation affected the psyche of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and it continued through the period of transition from military rule to democratic rule (Alemika & Chukwuma, 2000).
Key Terms in this Chapter
#End SARS#: Movement initiated by youth to protest against police brutality in Nigeria.
Reform: Improvement or correction of what is wrong or what is being done wrongly by an individual, organization, or a country for the better.
State Police: Functional policing structure by states and local governments different from the federal police in federal system of government.
Community: An aggregate of people sharing common geographical, social, and cultural pattern of life with relatively interdependent means of livelihood.
Police: Formal or informal force organized by the community for the maintenance of law and order.
Violence: The deliberate or intentional use of physical force to abuse or injure oneself or another person in the name of possession of superior power.
Community Police: Formal policing approach involving the police and community members aimed at crime control in communities.