Does Representation Matter?: Examining Officer Inclusion in a Divided Society

• In Event: Representation, Exclusion and the Consequences

Abstract

How can we improve public confidence in the legitimacy of recently instituted police forces in a divided society affected by decades of violent conflict? And can improved clan representation within the police force encourage public engagement with law enforcement? It is generally understood that public confidence in domestic institutions, particularly in the security sector, is integral for the stability and consolidation of states affected by prolonged warfare. However, in deeply divided societies, building such confidence can be difficult. Accordingly, advocates argue that improved demographic representation within domestic security institutions can help to improve residents’ engagement and cooperation with security forces. The current study tests this prediction relying on community survey data collected in city – Kismayo – in Somalia with significant clan diversity. The authors find that residents who perceive the local police force to be representative of local clans are more likely to believe the force is legitimate. In turn, residents who believe the force is more legitimacy are more willing to cooperate with and empower police with greater discretionary authority, while clan representation itself maintains an indirect and significant impact on residents’ willingness to empower officers.

Author

• Daisy Muibu, The University of Alabama