NCJ Number
83600
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1981) Pages: 21-27
Date Published
1981
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The role of police in seven postcolonial sub-Sahara African countries is examined, using Potholm's model of the functions and capabilities of the police.
Abstract
In Potholm's model, police functions are divided into the areas of (1) maintenance of law and order, (2) paramilitary operations, (3) regulatory activities, and (4) regime representation. The police organizations of the following sub-Sahara African states were examined to determine whether available data support Potholm's model: Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Zaire, and Zambia. Data were obtained from U.S. Army area handbooks. Overall, evidence supporting Potholm's model runs from strong to moderate. There was strong evidence that African police are used in the maintenance of law and order and that they also engage in paramilitary operations. The function of 'regulatory duties' received moderate support, with only three of the countries showing at least partial confirmation of this role. There was also only moderate support for the use of police in 'regime representation' (facilitating political socialization by linking citizens with their central government). It is clear, however, that the police service is one means of upward mobility in most of the countries examined. Thus, while Potholm's model does not receive unequivocal support from the data, neither is there sufficient evidence for it to be refuted. Tabular data and 30 notes are provided.