The Role of Police in the Promotion of Peace and Justice in Lango Sub-Region: A Case Study of Lira City

Abstract

Background: The study investigated the contribution of the police institution in the promotion of peace and justice among the people of Lira City. The specific objectives were: to examine the effects of the enforcement of law and order by the police in the promotion of peace and justice in Lira City; to investigate the crime prevention roles of the police in the promotion of peace and justice in Lira City; to analyse the police roles in internal security and the promotion of peace and justice in Lira City; and to assess the impact of the community policing programs by the police in the promotion of peace and justice in Lira City. Methods: The study adopted a descriptive and correlational design. The study was purposive, convenient and simple random sampling techniques to select the respondents during the study. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews; and was analyzed quantitatively using mean and standard deviations. Findings: The findings indicate that law enforcement, criminal investigations, and internal security provision are not significant in promoting peace and justice while community policing has a significant contribution in promoting peace and justice in Lira City. Conclusion: The study concluded that the police institutions play a significant role in promoting peace and justice in Lira City. Recommendations: The study recommended that to reduce fighting in the public, the police should strengthen their daily patrol at all points in Lira City by the use of motorized and foot patrol, bringing a permanent end to organized criminal gangs in the region through improving on its intelligence and technology with appropriate skilling of its officers that facilitate easy crime detection and empowering the public to remain vigilant against terrorism acts by collaborating with the Local Government Authorities at the grass root levels. The police institution should improve on its intelligence and technology with appropriate skilling of its officers that facilitate easy crime detection. This should be re-enforced with support from other relevant institutions such as Judiciary and Ministry of Gender Labor and Social Development (MGLSD) in sensitizing the community on issues of the laws and its interpretations and community policing. Keywords: Police, Peace, and Justice