Police Militarization and Public Perceptions: Exploring Residents’ Attitudes in Kismaayo, Somalia

ABSTRACT How can one encourage greater public cooperation with police forces and improve their legitimacy during times of protracted conflict and fragile governance? Can police militarization play a role in improving public perceptions toward law enforcement in these contexts? The prevailing perception is that police militarization undermines public opinion toward the police. Yet, there has been little empirical evaluation of the impact that militarization has on public attitudes in conflict-affected regions. Relying on original survey data collected in the city of Kismaayo, Somalia, this study examines the impact that perceived police militarization has on public perceptions toward a newly introduced police force operating in a region with an active insurgent-terrorist threat. Results of regression analysis and qualitative field interviews suggest that militarization can actually improve residents’ willingness to cooperate with the police, as well as perceptions of police legitimacy. The perceived militarization of this nascent police force conveys a level of preparedness and professionalism to residents exposed to decades of conflict.