Policing Africa, Human Rights Issues and Gaps to be Filled with Alternative Public Policy

Abstract

Police in Africa, like other developed climes of the globe, is expected not only to maintain laws and orders but safeguard and enforce people’s fundamental rights. Unfortunately, it is daily accused of abuses and brutalities which negatively affect their integrity. In view of the above, this paper examines human rights abuse by police in Africa which ranges from torture, extortion, unlawful arrests and detentions, harassment and intimidation of members of the public to accidental discharges. This study equally examines the changing roles of the police in Africa which are propelled by current socio-economic and political realities and how they have infringed on the rights of the people. These were with the view to pointing out the effects of violation of human rights by the police so as to improve on them.  Secondary data was used and analyzed by content analysis. The paper concludes that the situation is not irredeemable and recommends public policy measures such as use of subtle legislation, capacity building, more watchdog roles on police activities by members of the public, and more trials of police officers for human rights abuse.

Keywords: police, fundamental human rights, abuse, changing roles of the police, alternative public policy