The responsibility to provide security and policing services to Kenya rest squarely on the government and people of Kenya. The central role of policing and provision of quality police service is clearly seen from the police reforms agenda that is at the heart of community based Policing.

Community based policing is both a philosophy (a way of thinking) and an organizational strategy ( a way of carrying out that philosophy) that allows the police and the community to work together in new ways to solve problems of crime, disorder and safety issues to improve the quality of life for everyone in that community. The philosophy is built on the belief that people deserve and have a right to real say in policing and in exchange for their involvement and support.

Policing being a critical service is very important to be left to the police alone and therefore must be provided through partnerships between the police, public and other stakeholders to encourage responsible community contribution in crime prevention.

Since 2003, the government embraced the community based policing that combine synergies of police officers and the public who are consumers of police services. Against this backdrop, His Excellency the President, Hon. Mwai Kibaki presided over the official launch at Ruai in Nairobi on 26th April 2005. Essentially the initiative has worked well throughout the country. The concept is being understood and assimilated by local communities and they are in turn employing local resources, cultural and value systems to boost the initiative.

One main reason for advancing policing concept is concern over spiraling of crimes and the theory that the criminals live among us, that they our friends, siblings and relatives. Therefore we know who they are, what they do and if we want we can stop their criminal activities by collaborating with law enforces promptly and in good faith. Thus Community policing is more of proactive other than being reactive.

In view of this the Kenya police attach great importance to grassroots community involvement in seeking solutions to crime problems at local and national level through a people driven policing. Therefore police are expected to serve and reach out to all people by discharging their mandate with human face through problem oriented policing.

Community policing has been instrumental in crime reduction since its launch a year ago. It has proved to be a style of policing that is responsive to the needs of the communities, and a force multiplier that contributes to conflict management.

Within the context of the police reforms the police have identified working with the community as key to addressing security concerns. This will entail breaking away from the past traditional practices and working in partnership with the communities. However, the police will not build legitimacy in a society where a uniformed officer is seen as a cause of fear than a source of protection. Thus, community policing has helped to debunk this myth and in the process has transformed the image of police thereby eradicating such stereotypes.

Community policing is a continuous process, it is an approach to policing that recognizes the independence and shared responsibility of the police and the community in ensuring a safe and secure environment for all citizens. It aims at establishing an active and equal partnership between the police and the public through which crime and community safety issues can be jointly discussed and solutions determined and implemented.

It allows the police and the community to work together to solve problems of crime and insecurity. It identifies the security priorities of the community while tailoring policing to meet community needs and priorities. Community policing creates and maintains partnership between the police and the community, it aims at improving crime reporting and encourages sharing of information.

Community Policing is most effective when the police and the public come together to prioritize and address security needs of the community, to resolve conflicts within communities therefore promoting peace and stability for example in areas prone to cattle rustling and tribal conflicts. It enhances sharing of information between the police and the citizens about criminals and criminal activities; it also supplements police patrols through village watches, shop watches, shamba watches among other like minded initiatives.

Community policing plays a major role of volunteering information on criminals and criminal activities within their areas. It ensures that the public work closely with the police through Community Policing For a, while at the same time encouraging greater contacts between neighbors and supporting victims of crime.

The police have a major role to play in community policing this includes helping in the formation of community policing programmes, listening and understanding public needs, working with the community on their security concerns, being transparent, accountable and effective. The police also encourage the community policing members to attend meetings and contribute ideas on safety and security issues, training the community policing programme members.

The main aim of community policing is to improve the relationship between the police and members of the public, to reduce crime and alleviate fear of crime in the society. It helps the police and the community to be more accountable and responsive to each other. It also helps in improving the quality of life.

The community policing forums can be established in residential areas, business areas and estates near local police stations for easy communication and complementary support.

How to set up a Community policing outfit;

First identify the problems that affect your community.
Contact community policing unit (CPU).
Organize joint sensitization workshops together with CPU.
Plan and implement community policing programmes.
Monitor and evaluate through the committees formed.