Policing in Africa [Hardcover]

This wide-ranging collection offers fresh insights into a critical factor in development and politics on the African continent. It critically examines and illustrates the centrality of policing in transition societies in Africa, and outlines and assesses the emergence and impact of the diversity of state and non-state policing agencies.PART I: POLICING IN TRANSITION SOCIETIES IN AFRICA Introduction: Understanding Policing in Transition Societies in Africa - D.J.Francis Elusive Gains: Policing and Security Sector Reform in Liberia - D.Bekoe A Force for Good? Police Reform in Post-War Sierra Leone - J.M.Kabia Policing Refugees in Fragile States: the Case of Kenya - J.Maingi & K.Omeje From Repressive Policing to Community Policing in Uganda - A.Musiime Policing the post-colony: Legal Pluralism, Security and Social Control - M.Davidheiser & N.Hultin PART II: INTERNATIONAL POLICE REFORM CAPACITY BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS: LESSONS FROM OTHER REGIONS Guns, Violence and Fragile Stability: Policing in the Balkans - S.Grillot & B.Hammer Cycles of Police Reform in Latin America - F.Macaulay  

'David J. Francis frames Policing in Africa within contemporary broad police sector reform in transition societies in Africa, with comparative contributions from the Balkans and Latin America. This is by far one of the most comprehensive studies of policing in Africa during what could be termed 'post-neoliberal' euphoria and its significant impacts on police organization and performance and police-community relations. Francis and his colleagues must be congratulated for putting Africa at the cutting edge of contemporary police studies. A must read for graduate and post-graduate students, researchers and scholars in the fields of sociology, politics, international relations, social movements, and legal pluralism. This book has food for thought, and is accessible and hugely relevant for policy makers and professionals dealing with police and security sector reforms,l½