Karim Gabriel Mussa (Muslim University of Morogoro) has posted A Legal Study On Creating An Independent Civilian Police Oversight Body In Tanzania To Probe Complaints, Officer Abuse, And Crimes, With Ideas For Legal Change on SSRN. Here is the abstract:
Police accountability is a fundamental principle of the rule of law and the protection of human rights. In Tanzania, allegations of police misconduct, abuse of power, and criminal offences committed by police officers continue to raise concerns about the independence and effectiveness of existing accountability mechanisms. The current system largely relies on internal police investigations, which have often been criticized for lacking transparency, impartiality, and public confidence. This article examines the legal framework governing police accountability in Tanzania and assesses the need for establishing an Independent Civilian Police Oversight Authority to investigate complaints, police misconduct, and criminal offences allegedly committed by police officers. Using a doctrinal legal research methodology and comparative analysis, the article reviews relevant laws, judicial decisions, and selected oversight models from Kenya, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. The article argues that establishing an independent civilian oversight authority would strengthen accountability, enhance public confidence in law enforcement, promote respect for human rights, and reinforce the rule of law. It concludes by recommending legislative reforms to establish an independent statutory body with clear investigative powers and institutional autonomy to ensure effective civilian oversight of police conduct in Tanzania.
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