Table of ContentsIntroductionChallengesPolitical interference in police operationsThe limited footprint of the policeCorruption and nepotismMisuse of existing resourcesConclusionIntroductionMalawi Police is an institution government security responsible for maintaining peace, law and public order. They are actors in the criminal justice system. Its establishment is authorized by the Constitution of Malawi under Article 153(1) which states that "there shall be a body independent of the executive which shall be there to ensure the protection of public safety and the rights of the people in Malawi as prescribed. of this constitution and any other law.” Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayThis essay will explain the security sector reform challenges that the Malawi Police Force faces in its police reform effort. The essence of expressing challenges is to suggest possible ways to address them. The essay will begin by defining security sector reform and police reform, also explain the challenges and possible ways to address them and end with a conclusion. Security Sector Reform: Security sector reform refers to “the process by which a country seeks to review and improve the effectiveness and accountability of its security and justice providers.” Police Reform: According to Tara Denham (2008, p.7.), police reform is "the transformation or change of a police organization into a professional and accountable organization." police service practicing a style of policing that meets the needs of local communities." Challenges The Malawi Police Force has been transforming itself since 1997, when it changed its name from the Malawi Police Force to the Service Malawi Police Force. Since then, it has respected human rights according to a principle of democracy. However, its reform is gradual and faces several challenges. Some of the challenges are: interlocutors, political interference, limited police "footprints", corruption and nepotism, negative perceptions of the police and, finally, misuse of existing resources. Interlocutors: according to ISSAT, (2012, p. 36.), the interlocutors are the actors who must commit to the same objective of police reform. Stakeholders include the judiciary, the Malawi Prison and some non-governmental organizations that defend human rights, including the police themselves. Non-governmental organizations only participate in a police reform program when they have money. Once their money runs out, they move away from the goal of police reform. The justice system is an obstacle to police reform in that courts impose prison sentences on minor offenders instead of ordering alternative punishments such as community service, warnings, and punishments. suspended. Once again, the courts do not strengthen the forty-eight hour rule. According to Article 42 (2) (b) of the Constitution of Malawi, it states that “any person arrested on suspicion of having committed an offense shall be brought to justice before the expiration of forty-eight hours” . Regarding Article 42 (2) (e) of the same Constitution of Malawi further states that “failure to bring the suspect before the court before the expiration of forty-eight hours, the courts shall release the suspect with or without bail, unless the interests of justice require otherwise.” Mostcourts do not apply this rule by not respecting the importance of the forty-eight hour rule. Similarly, police investigators deprive suspects of the right to appear in court within forty-eight hours by delaying investigations. This challenge can be met by organizing an inspection team that will visit police cells and ensure that every suspect is brought to justice within forty-eight hours. Operations Another challenge of police reform is the political interference in police operations. The Malawi Police Force is under the control of civilian elites such as the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, not excluding the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces who is the President of the state. The police leadership team is changed after each general election, for example; since the advent of the multiparty system in 1994, eight Inspectors General of Police have been appointed. This deteriorates the independence of the service and the morale of an organization since operational activities are under the influence of political elites for example: in June, In 2018, the Blantyre police received the order from the political elites of Progressive Democratic Party to disperse the crowd gathered at the Sadiki Miah mass rally. In response, police dispersed the crowd by firing tear gas. This is a major challenge for police reform because the action taken by the police violated a constitutional right to freedom of association. Once again, the law denies democracy which is associated with human rights and multi-partyism. Political interference in police reform also occurs when politicians send their relatives to be recruited. Undesirable people who have no interest in the position are recruited under the influence of political elites. So these are the same people who are resisting change in police reform. Again, political elites have influence by advancing those close to them in the professional ranks through promotions by simply ordering an Inspector General of Police. Most of the time, those promoted in this way do not have the capacity to lead and manage their junior ranks, as they are the ones resisting change in police reform. This problem can be solved by establishing an independent police commission composed of renowned figures who are responsible for handling recruitment, promotion, discipline and other personnel issues. Police 'Limited Footprint' Another challenge to Malawian police reform is the limited 'footprint' of the police. According to the OECD (2007, P.174.), limited police footprints refer to a limited police presence in many areas. In Malawi, most rural areas do not have police units. People travel to a remote location to find the police. This causes many people in rural areas where there is no police unit to remain without their cases being reported. Although a victim may sacrifice transportation to report the matter to the police, it takes time for the police to arrest the suspect and sometimes the suspect is never arrested. This is because the Malawi Police Force does not have enough vehicles and sometimes a vehicle may be present but surprisingly you are told there is no fuel. Insufficient government funding provided to the police makes it difficult for the police to regularly visit remote areas and as a result the crime rate increases in areas inaccessible by the police. The limited resources available tend to be concentrated in the urban areas of Blantyre and Lilongwe. , Mzuzu, Zomba to name but a few..