The Role Of The Police Force In Combating Threats Of Terrorism: A Case Study Of Tanzania Police Force

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted at the Tanzania Police Force Headquarters in Dar es Salaam.

The objective of the study was to examine the role of the Police Force in combating

threats of terrorism in Tanzania. Primary and secondary data were collected using

quantitative and qualitative techniques. Specific objectives included providing an

overview of the state of terrorism in Tanzania, Examining existing international

collaboration with TPF in combating threats of terrorism and finally to determine the

existing capacities of TPF in term of human resources and financial resources in

combating threats of terrorism. SPSS and Microsoft excel were used in data analysis and

presentation.

A total number of 93 respondents were involved in the study. The methods used in data

collection were interview, questionnaires and documentary review. The findings of the

study revealed that the Tanzania Police Force faces many challenges in combating threats

of terrorism. These include lack of human resources, lack of specialized training, lack of

sufficient funds to deal with terrorism and lack of physical resources. Field result further

indicated that most police officers, who investigate terrorism cases do not have sufficient

knowledge on combating terrorism.

The study therefore recommends specialized training to the majority of the police officers

on terrorism, to a recruit more mobile police force, the government should allocate more

funds to the Police Force, and modern equipment should be provided to the Police Force

so that it can quick response to initial signs of terrorism and to also introduce a antterrorist

units all over the country. Increased collaboration with the international

community to combat threats of terrorism is also a necessary requirement for the Tanzania

Police Force in the war against terrorism.