1. One size fits all? Ghanaian perceptions of law enforcement and the importation of American community policing Dr. Angela West Crews Dr. Gordon Arthur Crews Mr. Kofi Boye-Doe

2. Abstract/Outline Ghana Police Service – Para-militaristic philosophy to community centered approach (facing unique challenges) Results from a survey of officer perceptions – Current amenability towards COP Barriers and Facilitators – special emphasis on how culture and prior experience may negatively impact future initiatives

3. Ghana & the Ghana Police Service The Republic of Ghana (1957) – 22 million people, 11 administrative regions,10 regional Houses of Chiefs (chieftaincies) – Ghanaian Citizens Police= social control & order; corrupt, brutal Prefer traditional system? – Ghana Police Service 13 regions; 51 divisions; 179 districts; 651 stations & posts; 17,000 sworn personnel; ratio 1/1200

4. Community Policing: Definition and Principles Basic Definition – A policing philosophy that promotes and supports organizational strategies to address the causes and reduce the fear of crime and social disorder through problem-solving tactics and community-police partnerships (The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2007). Basic Definition Trust Accountability Change Vision Partnerships Empowerment Problem Solving Leadership Equality Service

5. Traditional – Restorative – Responsibility is communal – Community harmony – Reintegrative shaming, banishment – Victim focused – Flexible/principles oriented State Administered – Adversarial – Responsibility is state/isolationist – Public safety – Punishment – Offender focused – Rigid law enforcement/rules oriented Cultural and Prior Experiences

6. Implementation in Ghana? Practical logistics/Timeline – Personnel changes almost DAILY Realistic expectations – Citizen perceptions/Cultural issues – Resources/Cost – Support (Above and Below) Barriers – Internal and External

7. Pilot Project 88 random household surveys (7 cities in 4 regions) – Perceptions: Life and community – Personal victimization – Perceptions of police – Perceptions: Fear of crime 25 officer surveys – The community – The Ghana Police Service (GPS) – Officer comments (qualitative)

8. Citizen Experiences With... Personal victimization Neighborhood crimes Crime-prevention efforts The Ghana Police Service And Perceptions of... Quality of life Various acts or conditions The Ghana Police Service & its programs Safety/Fear

9. Officer Perceptions of... Seriousness of activity (37 items) Influential factors in crime (24 items) Effectiveness of approaches in crime reduction (18 items) Goals & priorities of GPS Effectiveness of the GPS (12 items) Effectiveness of various programs (14 programs) Personal safety Officer morale Training needs Community support

10. Summary Findings: Police Perceive... Assaults, traffic congestion, and theft as “severe” or “moderate” crime problems Corruption among citizens as “extremely influential” and corruption among businesses as “moderately influential” in crime rates Increased community group involvement and partnerships between the police and other agencies as “very” or “somewhat effective” in decreasing crime

11. Summary Findings: Police Perceive... Important goals as “providing crime prevention services” and “increasing community partnerships” The most important focus of the GPS community policing strategy as “increasing the involvement of neighborhood residents” Effective officers “look beyond the call,” “initiate activity,” and have “fixed” rather than random patrol areas Communication and accountability as inadequate

12. Summary Findings: Police Perceive... GPS to be “very effective” at communicating important information and “ineffective” at involving officers in research & planning Directed patrol to high incident areas and the DV unit as “very/somewhat effective” programs Bike patrol to be “very effective” (32%) and “very ineffective” (28%)

13. Summary Findings: Police Perceive... Their city is “much safer” than others, but more than 1 in 5 feel less safe than 5 years ago Their morale as “somewhat” (35%) or “very” high (17%), but more than 1/3 rate their morale as “somewhat” or “very” low Community policing training as a preference for training (92%) The majority of citizens (66.5%) as “somewhat” or “very supportive” of the GPS, with 25% as “somewhat” or “very unsupportive”

14. Ghanaian institution perceived as most affected by corruption The Ghana Police Service (76.8%) BARRIERS Ghana Governance and Corruption Surveys (2000/2005)

15. BARRIERS Perception of Police by Citizens AND Perception of Citizens by Police – Citizens: we have to PAY for service – Police: they will NOT COME to us for service – Citizens: we see BRIBERY everyday – Police: we see VIGILANTE JUSTICE everyday “What will happen as police have MORE and MORE contact with citizens?”

16. BARRIERS Human Resource Development/Training Gaps – Training gaps No in-service training or specialized training Some specialized training by outsiders for upper ranks Implications for performance, professionalism, and modernization to cope with new and emerging crimes Inadequate IT and Communication Facilities – Lack of trained personnel /Obsolete equipment – Criminal records and other operations systems ineffective – Inadequate accommodation, vehicles and logistics support.

17. Facilitators Willingness of many to participate and offer assistance – IGP/Ghana Police Service – US Embassy – NOBLE – University of Ghana and University of Cape Coast – Ghanaian community in Lawrence and Topeka, Kansas Collaboration and continued training from international partners (USA, UK, and France)

18. Recommendations Increase public awareness of official anti-corruption measures Improve internal management practices, salaries, and working conditions Promote ethics and accountability Poverty-reduction strategies should be enhanced to improve on the living conditions of the people Prioritize reforms in important but “troubled” public agencies Create more employment opportunities for ALL as … “the devil provides work for the idle hand”

19. Any Questions?