Collaborative Security
2024 in numbers
Overview
Trust in the military and police is essential for effective security, yet in many conflict-affected areas, public confidence is frequently undermined by corruption, human rights abuses, and lack of accountability—issues more acute in police forces, which generally enjoy less trust than the military. In Africa, despite the military’s relative trust advantage, Afrobarometer surveys show that 40%–50% of respondents in 14 countries, including Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria, report little or no trust in the military. This distrust is often linked to political interference and coups, which erode the institution’s professionalism and credibility.
Efforts to rebuild trust through reform and community engagement face obstacles such as persistent conflict, corruption, and external interference. The growing presence of non-state armed groups, organized crime, and terrorism calls for a more holistic security approach that goes beyond traditional military and police responses.
There is increasing recognition that security forces must work closely with communities and civilians to build more responsive and sustainable solutions. Engaging local actors helps address the social, political, and economic drivers of conflict, allowing for tailored interventions. Research by the UN and others shows that collaboration with civil society and local leaders improves security outcomes, strengthens social cohesion, and supports long-term peace.
Since its origins as the War-Torn Societies Project, Interpeace has worked to build trust and accountability in security institutions by prioritizing community collaboration. It supports peacebuilding-based security sector reform (SSR) in countries such as Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Rwanda, and Somalia, and has partnered with security ministries in Guatemala, Kenya, and Mali. In Burkina Faso and Ethiopia, Interpeace has helped strengthen ties between communities and local security forces. It also works with informal actors, engaging violent groups such as gangs in Côte d’Ivoire, El Salvador, and Guatemala, armed groups in South Kivu and Ituri in the DRC, and pastoralist militias North Rift, Kenya.
Case study: Building trust between communities and the police in Ethiopia
Before Interpeace and its partners developed a trust-building programme between communities and the police in four woredas (district-level administrative units) of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, crime rates were high, particularly for property crimes like vandalism and theft. Violent crimes, including assault and armed robbery, remained at moderate levels. A partnership between the Ethiopian Police University (EPU) and Interpeace introduced a community security approach that improved trust between the police and the community, notably reducing crime rates and increasing public safety.
Zenebe,[1] a married father of four children and a resident of one of the woredas, witnessed the transformative impact of the trust-building dialogues organised by Interpeace. These dialogues provide platforms for community representatives and police officers to discuss local peace, develop problem-solving strategies, and implement capacity-building initiatives. In particular, the scanning, analysis, response, and assessment (SARA) problem-solving approach facilitated joint efforts in identifying and addressing community concerns, supported by the Community GIS Tool (CGIST), which helps map and analyse data for informed decision-making on safety and crime prevention.
Reflecting on the past, Zenebe recalls the historical marginalisation of community members in police operations, leading to a disconnect between community priorities and police actions, breeding mistrust and suspicion. The trust-building programme marked a shift towards collaboration, aiming to involve residents in shaping police services.
[1] Name has been changed to ensure security.Following the programme’s implementation, Zenebe and other community members feel empowered to influence security policing in their woreda. The initiative is an eye-opening experience for residents and the local police department, instilling a sense of unity and optimism about security. 81% of the community members reported a sense of hope about the future of security. 97% witnessed increased dialogue and trust between the police and citizens and increased collaborative security management, significantly improving safety in the woredas.