Effect of Police Professionalism on Police-Community Relations Towards Crime Prevention in Lurambi Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Increase in crime hinders socio-economic growth in different ways like the absence of safe living environment, threats to physical security, barrier for people to achieve their sustainable livelihoods, and impact provision of education, and health. Kakamega County is one of the most affected region in Kenya which discourages more investors and business community.  This study assessed community policing role towards crime prevention in Lurambi Sub-County, Kakamega County, Kenya with specific focus on the effect of police professionalism on police-community relations towards crime prevention in Lurambi Sub-County. The study was underpinned in the social bond theory and the routine activity theory and adopted a descriptive research design. The target population of the study comprised of Police Officers, Community Members, Chiefs, Assistant County Commissioner, Deputy County Commissioner, and Sub-County Police Commissioner, and Kakamega County Enforcement Officers. A sample of 384 respondents was selected by simple random sampling, purposive sampling, and proportionate random sampling techniques.  Both Primary and secondary data were used by the researcher.  Questionnaire and interview schedule were used in the process of data collection. This being a mixed-method study, both quantitative and qualitative data were collected by the identified research instruments.  The raw data obtained under the study was coded and analyzed through SPSS version 28 for windows. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were analysed for study. The finding of the study   will help the county government of Kakamega and the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government by providing important data required in formulation of government policies to promote crime prevention, partnership and high level of cooperation between police and community members. The findings will further provide recommendations to the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government on the best strategies that promote community policing leading to crime prevention.

Keywords: Police, Professionalism, Police-Community Relations, Crime Prevention

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/134-10

Publication date:July 31^st 2023