Maghreb states will struggle to address protests

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Security Forces ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Abuse Of Power ◽  
Civil Unrest ◽  
Al Hoceima ◽  
Police Abuse

Significance In Morocco, more than 35 police officers were injured in clashes with demonstrators in al-Hoceima commemorating the anniversary of the death of a local anti-colonial hero on February 5. Unconfirmed reports said nearly 200 protesters were injured in nearby towns. Impacts Well-publicised incidents of police abuse or government neglect could trigger wider protests and civil unrest. Growing protests could trigger more violent clashes with security forces that could become a political liability for governments. Governments will come under greater pressure to rein in corruption and abuse of power.

scholarly journals The Role of the Court and the Constitution on Police Oversight in Zimbabwe: Prospects and Challenges

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 272
Author(s):  
Ishmael Mugari ◽  
Adewale A. Olutola
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Criminal Cases ◽  
Abuse Of Power ◽  
State Institutions ◽  
Police Accountability ◽  
Legal Document ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Police Abuse

<p><em>The wide discretionary powers that are bestowed on the police necessitate the need for some mechanisms to curb abuse of these powers. The court, as an accountability institution, plays an important role in curtailing police abuse of power. This study explored the role of the court in police oversight in Zimbabwe, as well as examining the effectiveness of this important oversight institution in Zimbabwe. A total of 126 respondents drawn from institutions of accountability, were invited to participate through questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The study revealed that the court is an effective institution of police accountability, whose police oversight role is performed through: deciding on the propriety of police actions; presiding over criminal cases in which police officers are implicated; and presiding over civil suits against the police. However, despite the court’s effectiveness, the limited number of judicial officers and absence of a mechanism to implement court judgements against the police seem to militate against the court’s effectiveness. The constitution was widely viewed to be an effective legal document for enhancing police accountability, though its effectiveness largely depends on willingness of state institutions to adhere to constitutional provisions. Despite some obstacles, the court and the constitution are key independent mechanisms for curbing police abuse of power in the Republic of Zimbabwe.</em></p>

Prospects for Afghan peace talks are dwindling

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Confidence ◽  
Security Strategy ◽  
National Unity ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Security Forces ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Civil Unrest ◽  
The North ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Military

Significance The attack was an attempt to undermine the nine month old national unity government headed by President Ashraf Ghani, who is already losing public confidence since the cabinet is still incomplete and the country still lacks a viable security plan. Meanwhile, Taliban gains in the north have prompted the government to arm local militias to bolster its security forces. According to UN figures, the insurgency has left 974 dead and 1,963 injured in the first four months of 2015 -- a 16% rise on 2014. Impacts Growing public discontent could open spaces for competing leaders and groups opposed to the government, threatening civil unrest. Absent a viable security strategy, NATO may slow the military drawdown, implying extended involvement. Foreign investors, especially China, could renege on their investment commitments if the Taliban continue taking new territory.

Sudan’s new government offers few new ideas

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Financial Support ◽  
Security Forces ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Civil Unrest ◽  
Congress Party ◽  
New Ideas ◽  
National Congress ◽  
Step Down ◽  
The Government

Subject The ruling party's response to the Sudan protests. Significance President Omar al-Bashir and the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) continue to face severe pressure from recurrent public protests that began last December. Chronic economic difficulties have contributed to civil unrest and protesters have called for Bashir to step down. Impacts New protest escalations are likely but may be short-lived. Security forces will continue to use harsh measures to deter protesters. The government will likely seek further political and financial support from the Gulf.

scholarly journals Patterns, Costs, and Implications of Police Abuse to Citizens’ Rights in the Republic of Zimbabwe

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ishmael Mugari ◽  
Emeka E. Obioha
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Police Brutality ◽  
Search And Seizure ◽  
Law And Order ◽  
Economic Costs ◽  
Abuse Of Power ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Excessive Use Of Force ◽  
Police Abuse

The Police play a key role in maintaining law and order and safeguarding the security of the nation and its citizens. To enable them to discharge their constitutional mandate, they are entrusted with powers such as the power to arrest, detain, search, and to use force. However, police officers have often abused these powers with serious consequences on the image and operations of the organisation. The media is often inundated with news on unlawful arrests, arbitrary search and seizure, unlawful methods of investigations, and the excessive use of force. It is without a doubt that these incidences of abuse of powers and functions by the police come at a price. This study, a survey conducted with 91 respondents (83 members of public and 8 police officers) in 2 policing districts in Zimbabwe reveals wanton violation of human rights, police brutality, and the abuse of power which have resulted in both social and economic costs to the Police service and government of Zimbabwe through Civil suits against the police. Among other issues, training and decisiveness in dealing with the implicated police officers were viewed as the most effective ways for dealing with police abuse of power.

Russia's new National Guard reflects stability worries

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
National Guard ◽  
Major Change ◽  
Economic Downturn ◽  
Security Sector ◽  
Security Forces ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Security Services ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Inner Circle

Significance The new force consolidates security units across the country under a single command led by Putin loyalist Viktor Zolotov and is directly answerable to the president rather than a security-sector minister. The creation of a 'presidential army' suggests that Putin is concerned about the risk of mass protests amid an economic downturn, about the potential for elite conspiracies and about the trustworthiness of existing security agencies. Impacts The consolidation of security forces under Putin creates a more intimidating environment ahead of parliamentary polls in September. The lack of consultation on this major change underlines the disconnect between Putin's inner circle and the wider technocratic elite. The National Guard is likely to draw funding away from rival security services. MVD police officers who used to earn extra money via the Okhrana security company will drift back to extortion.

Dissatisfaction with Burkinabe government could mount

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Local Communities ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
National Plan ◽  
Security Forces ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Student Protests ◽  
Civil Unrest ◽  
The North ◽  
Government Leadership ◽  
The Government

Subject Rising instability in Burkina Faso Significance After two years in office, President Roch Marc Christian Kabore’s government is facing a wave of strikes, student protests and demonstrations by disgruntled local communities. This unrest comes as the Burkinabe security forces struggle to contain salafi-jihadist insurgents in the north amid public criticisms of poor government leadership. Kabore's administration has stated that a recent cabinet reshuffle will refocus energies on the National Plan for Economic and Social Development (PNDES). However, growing public discontent is emboldening the previously weak opposition. Impacts Growing civil unrest could divert funding and resources from the northern provinces most vulnerable to terrorist attacks. The government will try to avoid clamping down on protests for fear of aiding the opposition further. If conducted fairly, long-delayed trials of former regime leaders could increase the government’s popularity.

Nicaraguan migration tests Costa Rican hospitality

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Central America ◽  
Costa Rican ◽  
Fiscal Impact ◽  
Security Forces ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Civil Unrest ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
To Come ◽  
The Impact ◽  
High Migration

Subject Nicaraguan migrants. Significance Violence levels in Nicaragua appear to have plateaued in recent weeks as President Daniel Ortega’s security forces have subdued protesters and cemented their control. The impact of this year’s civil unrest is nevertheless being felt throughout Central America. This is particularly true of Costa Rica, which has become a magnet for migrants fleeing the unrest in their own country. Impacts Nicaragua may be facing an intractable, low-intensity conflict that could see migration flare and subside unpredictably for years to come. Concerns about the fiscal impact of rising migration could add impetus to ongoing calls for fiscal reform. Sustained, high migration levels could impact Panama, which is already struggling with a Venezuelan migrant surge.

Examining police officers’ perceptions of stress: the role of Person−environment fit

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachael Rief ◽  
Samantha Clinkinbeard
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Outcomes ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Organizational Fit ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Overall Job Satisfaction

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between officer perceptions of fit in their organization and stress (organizational and operational), overall job satisfaction and turnover contemplation (within the last 6 months).Design/methodology/approachThe authors used cross-sectional survey data from a sample of 832 officers from two Midwest police departments to examine the relationships between fit, stress and work-related attitudes.FindingsPerceived stress and organizational fit were strong predictors of overall job satisfaction and turnover contemplation; organizational fit accounted for the most variation in stress, satisfaction and turnover contemplation. Organizational stress partially mediated the relationship between organizational fit and job satisfaction and organizational fit and turnover contemplation.Research ImplicationsMore research is needed to identify predictors of organizational fit perceptions among police officers.Practical implicationsFindings indicate that agencies should pay close attention to the organizational culture and structure when trying to address issues of officer well-being and retention. Further, the person−environment framework can be a useful tool in examining police occupational outcomes.Originality/valueThe authors findings contribute to research on officer stress by exploring perceptions of organizational fit as a predictor of stress and unpacking how officer stress matters to important work outcomes, including job satisfaction and thoughts of turnover, by considering stress as a mediator between organizational fit and these work outcomes.

Assessing university police officers’ uniforms and wearing experiences

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke Brandewie ◽  
Injoo Kim ◽  
Myoung-Ok Kim
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Uniform Design ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Specific Performance ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Emotional Aspects ◽  
Municipal Police ◽  
The University

Purpose This study aims to suggest opportunities for enhancing the police uniform design with consideration to the emotional and physical satisfaction of the wearers, by assessing the wearing experience. Design/methodology/approach University police officers at a University in the Midwestern region of the USA were surveyed to examine both psychological and emotional aspects including performance, comfort, professionalism and empowerment, as well as their satisfaction levels with fit, fabrics, aesthetics and functionality. Findings The study found that the wearing experience was poor, and not surprisingly, fabric satisfaction ranked the lowest of all factors. In regard to color, results showed that the uniforms should be in colors that are suitable to the university context, which in this case the wearers preferred the University athletic colors of black and red. It is easier to consider these colors, as they are a part of their organization and also enable the police to stand apart from municipal police, contrary to previous research demonstrating dark colors have negative connotations. Findings suggest that the university police uniform should have an athletic style with a regular fit, using specific performance fabrics that allow for stretch and breathability. Originality/value This study assesses the police uniform design and wearing experience and suggests design details to enhance how well officers physically perform in their role and also to inspire them to feel proud of their job and organization.

Cops and COVID: an examination of California officers' perceptions and experiences while policing during a pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Shjarback ◽  
Obed Magny
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Sensitive Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Police Agencies ◽  
Police Executives

PurposeUsing online survey data from a sample of 440 police officers in California throughout May 2020, the current study collected time-sensitive information on officers' perceptions and departmental experiences in the wake of the pandemic. It examined officers' perceptions of agency responsivity as well as their perceptions of morale, stress and risk following agency responses and changes in policy patterns, service delivery innovations and other administrative challenges.Design/methodology/approachCOVID-19 had a tremendous impact on the law enforcement community, who continued to work and adapt in order to provide public safety. During the first few months of the pandemic, a number of national data collection efforts set out to understand what police agencies, at the organizational-level, were doing to address the crisis. Largely missing from these initial discussions were the perspectives of individual officers, particularly how they felt about their respective departments ensuring safety and balancing risk.FindingsResults from ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions found that the number of departmental changes made in the wake of COVID-19 that reduced police–public contact was associated with (1) increased levels of perceived agency responsivity to officer needs (i.e. balancing officer safety, taking active steps to maintain officers' mental health) and (2) reduced levels of perceived negative outlook (e.g. stress, low morale, danger/risk). Policy implications and the importance of police executives' decisions during crisis are discussed.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first, to the authors’ knowledge, to examine perceptions of policing during the pandemic from an individual officer point of view rather than an organizational standpoint.

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