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Locating the local police in Iraq’s security arena: community policing, the ‘three Ps’ and trust in Ninawa Province
Brief about:
Journal Article (2022)
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Other researchers:
This paper focuses on how the role of the local police is perceived in two districts in Mosul: Hay al-Tanak, a Sunni neighborhood in the west side of Mosul. And Hamdaniya, which is a multi-ethnic district with 80% Assyrian Christian and other minorities.
In this paper, we mention the three “P’s” related to preventing crime in Mosul.
The first is problem-solving, an approach used by the police to identify problems. Citizens in Mosul don’t have the knowledge to differentiate between what crime or problems need to be reported to whom. Crimes may be addressed by the law, judges, or the police, but problems are solved by the community police.
The second ‘P’ is related to preventing crime.
And the third ‘P’ is police-public partnerships, specifically the police in Ninawa. The partnership is important because, before the city was liberated, there was a significant gap between the citizens and the police security. However, after the liberation, trust between the community and the police is high – if compared to what is was before.
The purpose of this research was to gain insight to share recommendations with the police, community police, and the federal government to help advance community policing.
Key findings
- There are many indicators that increased trust between the community and the police.What it means
One main indicator is that the Iraqi Government chose a good commander for peace security, instead of the past commander who the citizens didn't like mainly due to the new commander's rules for security and the new attitude by the police. The federal government chose the right people for the right places. The head of security in Ninawa, who is from Mosul, is now the governor of Mosul. I think that was enough for people to like him. There is now a high level of trust between citizens and community policing.
- Secondly, the people felt that if there was any gap between security and the citizen, terrorism or other malicious activities could return to the city.
- Thirdly, many of the community police officers are from Mosul and who already had good relationships with the citizens.
- And also the international organisations and local NGOs have played a good role in bridging the gap between the citizens and security.What it means
Additionally, many journalists and media outlets, such as TV channels, YouTube, and Facebook, played a role in bridging the gap between security and the citizens. I believe these factors increased trust between the security forces.
Proposed action
- Involving women would support security and provide equal opportunities for women in government sectors
It would also give women the opportunity to support security in Iraq as a whole. Currently, in Kurdistan, there are many women officers in the police, but in other areas, there aren't many. Involving women in secure environments wouldn't be dangerous for them and would help create positive change.
- To engage women in community policing, it's important to support advocacy campaigns, establish local community police forums managed by women, and support projects led by local NGOs managed by women
It's also essential to create awareness sessions and dialogue with local NGOs and community police to decrease the gap between women and society.
- First, raise awareness in the community and educate community leaders, religious leaders, and others about the importance of having women in the police
Second, create programs focusing on capacity building for women. Third, run advocacy campaigns towards decision-makers to involve women in security policy structures.
- We need to change the police from the military police to the community police
This needs time and capacity building for the community, the police, the army, and the leaders is essential for security. Invest in training for a community police role via a university education.
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Acknowledgements
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Locating the local police in Iraq’s security arena: community policing, the ‘three Ps’ and trust in Ninawa Province
Cite this brief: al-Jerba, Dr.Abdulkareem Mohammed. 'Locating the local police in Iraq’s security arena: community policing, the ‘three Ps’ and trust in Ninawa Province'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/locating-the-local-police-in-iraqs-security-arena-community-policing-the-three-ps-and-trust-in-ninawa-province/
Brief created by: Dr Dr.Abdulkareem Mohammed al-Jerba | Year brief made:
Original research:
- J. W., al-Jerba, D. M., & M. A.-D., ‘Locating the local police in Iraq’s security arena: community policing, the ‘three Ps’ and trust in Ninawa Province’ (pp. 1–17) https://doi.org/10.1080/01436597.2022.2118705. – https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01436597.2022.2118705
Research brief:
This paper focuses on how the role of the local police is perceived in two districts in Mosul: Hay al-Tanak, a Sunni neighborhood in the west side of Mosul. And Hamdaniya, which is a multi-ethnic district with 80% Assyrian Christian and other minorities.
In this paper, we mention the three “P’s” related to preventing crime in Mosul.
The first is problem-solving, an approach used by the police to identify problems. Citizens in Mosul don’t have the knowledge to differentiate between what crime or problems need to be reported to whom. Crimes may be addressed by the law, judges, or the police, but problems are solved by the community police.
The second ‘P’ is related to preventing crime.
And the third ‘P’ is police-public partnerships, specifically the police in Ninawa. The partnership is important because, before the city was liberated, there was a significant gap between the citizens and the police security. However, after the liberation, trust between the community and the police is high – if compared to what is was before.
The purpose of this research was to gain insight to share recommendations with the police, community police, and the federal government to help advance community policing.
Findings:
There are many indicators that increased trust between the community and the police.
One main indicator is that the Iraqi Government chose a good commander for peace security, instead of the past commander who the citizens didn’t like mainly due to the new commander’s rules for security and the new attitude by the police. The federal government chose the right people for the right places. The head of security in Ninawa, who is from Mosul, is now the governor of Mosul. I think that was enough for people to like him. There is now a high level of trust between citizens and community policing.
Secondly, the people felt that if there was any gap between security and the citizen, terrorism or other malicious activities could return to the city.
Thirdly, many of the community police officers are from Mosul and who already had good relationships with the citizens.
And also the international organisations and local NGOs have played a good role in bridging the gap between the citizens and security.
Additionally, many journalists and media outlets, such as TV channels, YouTube, and Facebook, played a role in bridging the gap between security and the citizens. I believe these factors increased trust between the security forces.
Advice:
Involving women would support security and provide equal opportunities for women in government sectors
- It would also give women the opportunity to support security in Iraq as a whole. Currently, in Kurdistan, there are many women officers in the police, but in other areas, there aren’t many. Involving women in secure environments wouldn’t be dangerous for them and would help create positive change.
To engage women in community policing, it’s important to support advocacy campaigns, establish local community police forums managed by women, and support projects led by local NGOs managed by women
- It’s also essential to create awareness sessions and dialogue with local NGOs and community police to decrease the gap between women and society.
First, raise awareness in the community and educate community leaders, religious leaders, and others about the importance of having women in the police
- Second, create programs focusing on capacity building for women. Third, run advocacy campaigns towards decision-makers to involve women in security policy structures.
We need to change the police from the military police to the community police
- This needs time and capacity building for the community, the police, the army, and the leaders is essential for security. Invest in training for a community police role via a university education.