Security in Post-Conflict Africa: The Role of Nonstate Policing

Policing is undergoing rapid change in Africa as a result of democratization, the commercialization of security, conflicts that disrupt policing services, and peace negotiations among former adversaries. These factors combined with the inability of Africa’s state police to provide adequate protection have resulted in the continuing popularity of various forms of nonstate policing. Based on six years of field work, Professor Bruce Baker presents his findings on eight African countries in Security in Post Conflict Africa: The Role of Nonstate Policing.
How well does nonstate policing work?

Professor Baker’s research, gathered through interviews, observations, and focus groups, examines the complex types of law enforcement and crime prevention systems that have developed during times of political and social instability. He explores the concept of nonstate policing, explains why it dominates African security provision, describes the services provided, measures the levels of local support, and discusses issues of accountability. He examines the potential hazards of working with nonstate police and suggests ways to enhance these systems and to establish partnerships with the state police for the benefit of the citizens.
Are collaborative efforts the key to security?
Challenging prevailing assumptions in academic and policy circles about nonstate policing, this groundbreaking work provides insight into the optimum security model, whereby success is determined by the quality and efficacy of the security received by the people, regardless of who delivers that service.
The author maintains a related website with supplemental information.

Africa and the Post-Conflict Security Environment
Defining Terms
Conceptual Framework and Argument of the Book
The Post-Conflict Environment
Nonstate Policing Explained
Introduction
Characterizing Nonstate Policing
The Reasons for Their Dominance
Changes in the Nonstate Security Sector Since 1990
Conclusion
Policing the City: Neighborhood and Customary Responses
The City Context
The Post-Conflict City
Crime in the City
Living with Crime in the City
Mob Justice
Anticrime Groups
Customary Groups
Discussion
Policing the City: Community Police Forums and Local Government Responses
Introduction
Community Police Forums
Local Government Security Structures
Discussion
Policing the Village
Introduction
The Rural Context
Crime
Customary Structures
Local Government Responses
Rural Community Policing
Restorative Justice Committees and Legal Aid NGOs
Anti-Cattle-Rustling Groups
Discussion
Policing the Workplace
Introduction
Market Traders’ Associations
Drivers’ Associations
Commercial Security Companies
Discussion
Policing Women
Gendered Patterns of Crime
Domestic Violence
Sexual Abuse and Rape
Nonstate Police Responses to Gender Discrimination
Nonstate Police Responses to Domestic Violence
Nonstate Police Responses to Sexual Violence
Discussion
Fitting Nonstate Policing Into Security Reform
Introduction
State Building
Hybrid Governance
Multilayered Policing Governance
The Value of Nonstate Policing to SSR
The Implications of a Multilayered Policing Governance
The Unanswered Questions
Bibliography
Index