Community Policing as a New Approach to Security in Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

The aim of this research is to analyze the relevance and suitability of community policing within the post-Soviet police system in Kyrgyzstan. The research will investigate the question of whether community policing can be the right tool to ensure security within Kyrgyz society and whether it can be the basis for establishment of trust between police and citizens who can work jointly towards establishing order and security within communities in Kyrgyzstan. The study consists of four parts. The first chapter will review the literature on community policing and identify its definition and theoretical framework. Moreover, the chapter will dwell upon the concept of community policing as an integral part of democratic policing and police reform process and look into the issues that create obstacles for successful implementation of community policing approach in Kyrgyzstan. The second chapter is dedicated to answering the question whether the community policing approach is appropriate one to address the security related issues within the neighborhoods and communities in a country in transition like Kyrgyzstan. This chapter will also look into introduction of community policing approach in another post-Soviet state like Armenia. The third chapter will dwell on the practical experiences in community policing approach implementation in Kyrgyzstan. Focusing on the questions whether it was successful, if not what were the shortcomings and omissions during the process.