Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies

Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies | Vol. 2, No. 7, July 2011 | pp. 54–62

DOI: 10.46882/2011/GJPCS/000026

Research Article

The Role of Community Policing in Mitigating Post-Conflict Vigilantism in Northern Ireland

Siobhan O'Connor¹

¹School of Criminology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK

Abstract: Paramilitary style punishments and community-led vigilantism continue to challenge the rule of law in post-accord Northern Ireland. This empirical research explores the impact of community policing partnerships on reducing informal vigilante violence within historical working-class neighborhoods. Survey instruments were administered to 550 urban residents using a stratified spatial sampling design. Structural equation modeling indicated that visible participation by localized neighborhood officers reduced public reliance on informal paramilitary policing structures by 42% (p < 0.001). The empirical models show that the presence of functional, independent police accountability boards significantly moderates public willingness to report local crimes to state authorities (R² change = 0.26). The data shows a mean community security trust index score of 3.6 ± 0.4 among neighborhoods with institutionalized community policing models. The study concludes that sustainable security stabilization requires transforming state police forces from instruments of state control into community-oriented service providers.

Keywords: community policing, vigilantism, Northern Ireland, social trust, paramilitary violence, security stabilization

Manuscript Timeline: Received March 11, 2011; Revised April 29, 2011; Accepted May 25, 2011; Published July 12, 2011.

Citation: O'Connor, S. (2011). The Role of Community Policing in Mitigating Post-Conflict Vigilantism in Northern Ireland. Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 2(7), 54–62. DOI: 10.46882/2011/GJPCS/000026

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