Influence of intelligence sharing on crime prevention in Mogadishu city, Somalia

Abstract

Intelligence sharing among security actors is central to success in crime prevention. In order to plan for and deter potential terrorist attacks and general crime around the world, there is a need for improved information-sharing practices at all levels of government. The study was motivated by increase in crimes in Mogadishu and inadequate contribution of intelligence sharing to prevent crimes in the city. This study aimed to establish the influence of intelligence sharing on crime prevention in Mogadishu City, Somalia. Specifically, the study sought to establish the influence of intelligence sharing, intelligence data collection, intelligence cooperation in investigations and intelligence in surveillance on crime prevention in Mogadishu City, Somalia. This study was anchored on Social control theory. This study employed descriptive research design. The target population of the study was 536 including Criminal Investigation Department officers, National Intelligence and Security Agency officers and police officers living in Mogadishu city Somalia. The sample size was 114. The study selected the respondents using stratified random sampling technique. Primary data was obtained using questionnaires. The questionnaires were self-administered using a drop-and-pick method. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to evaluate the data through descriptive and inferential statistics (SPSS Version 25.0). To facilitate data entry, all questionnaires received were referenced, and items in the questionnaire were coded. After cleaning the data, which included checking for entry errors, descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean score, and standard deviation were calculated for all quantitative variables and information presented in tables. Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data, which was then presented in prose. Ethical and legal issues were observed to the latter. The major findings are that the intelligence sharing influences crime prevention in Mogadishu city as shown by 94.4%. The study also found that intelligence sharing influences crime prevention in Mogadishu city to a great extent as shown by 38.1%. The study also found that intelligence data collection influences crime prevention in Mogadishu city as shown by 92.1% and that intelligence data collection influences crime prevention in Mogadishu city to a great extent as shown by 48.8%. The study concluded that intelligence sharing had the greatest influence on crime prevention in Mogadishu City, Somalia followed by utilization of intelligence in investigations, then intelligence in surveillance while intelligence data collection had the least influence on the crime prevention in Mogadishu City, Somalia. The study recommends that there is a need to establish procedures and mechanisms for sharing intelligence among the security officers. The study further suggests that all levels of law enforcement staff participating in the criminal intelligence process receive training. The study also suggests that law enforcement officers should use robot cameras to conduct intelligence surveillance. Policymakers in Somalia might be able to use the results of this study to establish and formulate a framework that will aid in the improvement of security in the region. The results of this study would also help government officials, especially CID, who would be able to use them to develop strategies for integrating intelligence into their investigations. As a result, crime in Mogadishu and even Somalia as a whole would be minimized.