Tanzania has been recognized as one of the top 10 African countries with the most professional police forces, according to a recent survey. The report highlights challenges faced by many nations in the continent, such as corruption and police misconduct, but also showcases significant strides made in improving law enforcement standards in countries like Tanzania.
The Afrobarometer report, based on data collected between 2021 and 2023 across 39 African nations, reveals that only one-third of Africans believe their police forces operate professionally and respect human rights. While countries such as Burkina Faso, Morocco, and Benin ranked highest for police professionalism, Tanzania’s score of 53 percent secured its spot in the top ten.
In contrast, countries like Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Gabon, alongside Kenya, were noted for their poor performance in areas such as corruption and police brutality. Despite these challenges, Tanzania’s position in the rankings reflects ongoing efforts to reform its police force and improve public trust.
The report also sheds light on regional disparities in trust towards police forces, with Northern Africa showing the highest levels of confidence, while Central Africa recorded the lowest. Tanzania’s success in maintaining relatively high professionalism levels positions it as a regional model, encouraging neighboring nations to pursue similar improvements in their law enforcement systems.