Effective Administration of the Police and Prosecution in Criminal Justice: The Practice and Experience of the United Republic of Tanzania (From UNAFEI Annual Report for 2001 and Resource Material Series No. 60, P 164-181, 2003, Sean Eratt, ed. -- See NCJ-201693)

• NCJ Number: 201703
• Author(s): Laurean M. Tibasana
• Date Published: February 2003
• Length: 18 pages
• Sale Source: United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Description
• Language: English
• Country: Japan

Annotation

This paper discusses the practice and experience of the United Republic of Tanzania in the structuring, organization, and management of the investigative and prosecution procedures in criminal justice administration.

Abstract

The Tanzania Police Force is a national force. The inspector general of police has overall command of the force subject to general directions of the minister for home affairs. The responsibilities of the police are to prevent the commission of offenses and to apprehend those suspected of committing, about to commit, or having already committed offenses. Problems related to the management of the police in Tanzania stem from budgetary constraints that have created persistent shortages of personnel, inadequate skills, and mobility problems. One means of addressing budget constraints is to increase the involvement of the community in public safety efforts through the use of auxiliary police units, community-based policing, and upgrading and expanding the use of private security companies. The criminal investigation department is the agency most responsible for the investigation of crime in Tanzania. All criminal prosecutions are the direct responsibility of the director of public prosecutions, who has the power to institute criminal proceedings against any person before any court; to take over any criminal proceedings that have been instituted by any other person or authority; and to discontinue any such criminal proceedings. This paper explains the appointment of public prosecutors, the supervision of prosecution by the director of public prosecutions, and problems and future prospects for the prosecution process in Tanzania. In some jurisdictions the police not only investigate crimes but also prosecute suspects. In other jurisdictions the functions of investigation and prosecution are conducted by separate agencies. The paper concludes with discussions of the cooperation between the police and prosecutors and independence from arbitrary influence on investigations and prosecutions. 11 references, a chart of crimes reported to the police for 1990-2000, and an appended organization chart for the Tanzanian police