Strengthening citizens' security

Rebuilding trust in state apparatus is a significant challenge for nations emerging from intra-state conflict. This is particularly acute in citizens relations with national security forces – during a long war the public may have experienced little or no ‘protection’ and may have been the victims of abuse by the armed forces or police. So what can be done to rebuild trust and for the public to accept that the security sector can be beneficial for society?

This paper details a project in Sierra Leone which sought to engender trust such by:

• improving communication between civil society and the security sector
• increasing public awareness of security issues
• exploring effective mechanisms for civil society engagement in the security sector
• building civil society’s knowledge and skills in security.

The projects findings/lessons include:

• military and other security personnel have developed a stronger relationship with the public, but more work needs to be done to broaden trust building project activities across the country
  
• women’s capacity to talk about security has been increased but more women need to be targeted so they are not a minority in security discussions
  
• While the students attending the project’s Security Analysis School have increased their knowledge of security, it would be beneficial to incorporate this type of extra course into the curriculum coursework so that more students can benefit from engaging directly with security practitioners
  
• radio broadcasts have raised the profile of public responsibility for security and some have provided police with information leading to the solving of crimes
  
• published updates of high visual standard are a strong means to disseminate information on security and to promote understanding of security mechanisms and ways in which civilians can engage.