International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue XI, November 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Roles of Police in Conflict Management: A Critical Review of Literature

Edmore M. Chijoko*, Mqemane Tshababa, Columbus Jagada, Edward Tshuma, Matilda Singende, Tenson Ngwenya, Charles Musavengana
Zimbabwe Republic Police Staff College (An Associate College of the University of Zimbabwe)
Corresponding author *

Abstract:-This paper reviews the roles of police in conflict management to situate the police in peace and security obligations in the world. Police as first responders to national crises ranging from crime, domestic and public violence, terrorism and international conflict have to be able to handle conflicts at all levels. The review clarifies roles of police in maintaining peace and tranquillity of states regarding these conflict situations. It also discusses the available opportunities which the police can exploit to guarantee sustainable and ineffaceable internal peace and security amidst a myriad of challenges, problems and issues regarding peace and security. Using the Critical Literature Review method, the authors established that police actions either exacerbate the polarity between conflicting parties through unreflective actions that escalate conflicts or manage to resolve the issues through strategic actions aimed at achieving broad objectives for peace and tranquillity. The involvement of police in international and regional peacekeeping missions also places the police in the broader perspective of international conflict management. Through participating and collaborating with other stakeholders who include intergovernmental organisations, other state security agencies, non-governmental organizations and private players, the roles of the police in conflict management span local, regional and international levels. Individual actions of police officers while executing their duties are also crucial. Therefore, the authors recommend that Police officers should be trained in conflict management and international relations at the grass-root level to conscientise them on peace and security matters. Further empirical studies are required to evaluate the police’s readiness and competency in conflict management.

Keywords: Conflict, Conflict Management, Mass Protests, Peace and Security, Police, Terrorism

INTRODUCTION
Conflict and society have co-existed since the cradle of mankind. It is a constant factor in human existence. Conflicts occur at different levels which include; intrapersonal, interpersonal, intragroup, intergroup, and international levels. In yesteryears, conflicts were managed and resolved by the elderly and community leaders within traditional structures in which they occurred. The complexities of conflicts characterising the contemporary world have placed greater demands on police organisations to intervene and manage the conflicts. As police organisations grapple with these conflicts, it becomes apparent that they should develop clear and sustainable strategies to successfully manage conflict situations. Failure to manage conflicts is itself ominous to the wellbeing of the citizenry and unmanaged conflicts usually degenerate to worse scenarios like Civil Wars, Inter-State Wars and even World Wars.