Assessment of Civil-Police Relations and Conflict in Greater Banjul Area, the Gambia (2019-2024)

Abstract

The police force is established to protect the lives and properties of the people and maintain law and order. In recent times, there have been conflicts between the police personnel and civilian population in Gambia. This study examined civil-police relations in the Gambia. The study was hinged on the social contract theory which has a central focus that the police force is a brain-child of the collective resolve of the people. The study adopted a mixed-methods research design, utilizing both primary and secondary data. The primary data were gathered through the administration of questionnaire while article journals, books and periodicals served as secondary data. Purposive sampling was used to select a sample size of 300 out of a population of 459,000 in Greater Banjul Area, Gambia. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (cumulative frequency tables, simple percentage and mean average. The study found that the civilian population has not been too satisfied with the police efforts in combating crime. Also, there has been conflicting issues between the police force and civilians which is escalated by the inadequate conflict management skills on some police officers to manage crises. The study recommended that proper training on conflict management should be implemented for police personnel as well as the police force should ensure conflicts with the civilians are resolved amicably.